Paladia Noja, the oldest known living person in Romania, dies at 111
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is sadden to announce that Mrs. Paladia Noja, the oldest known living person in Romania, and the oldest known validated woman ever to have lived in Romania, sadly passed away in Cugir, Alba County on 14 September 2026 at the final age of 111 years and 56 days, as her granddaughter confirmed to the GRG.
Paladia Noja was born as Paladia Bâldea in Cugir, Alba County, Austria-Hungary (now Romania), on 20 July 1915, to parents Petru Bâldea (1875–1958) and Maria Bâldea (1879–1948). As a child, she worked in the fields, tended to animals, and helped her family with daily chores. In her youth, she lived three years in Timișoara with two of her siblings. She had two brothers, Ioan Bâldea (1911–1976) and Petru Bâldea (1912–1989), and two sisters Maria Bâldea (1913–1989) and Domnica Bâldea (1917–2000).
On 27 April 1935, at the age of 19, she married Simion Noja (1908–1989), and the couple had four children. Sons; Constantin Noja (born 1940), Ioan Noja (1943–2016) and Petru Noja (born 1945), as well as a daughter; Maria Noja (born 1950). She learned tailoring as a young woman but was never formally employed. She made clothes for her children and sewed for local sheep farmers, who offered milk, cheese, meat and other foodstuffs in exchange. She also had a large garden with trees, where she grew various vegetables and wheat, from which she made her own flour.
Her husband died from a heart attack in 1989, at the age of 81. She continued using her sewing machine well into her centenarian years and worked in the garden until she was almost 100.
At the age of 106, she said that her secret to longevity is to never smoke or drink alcohol, as well as eating in moderation. Her diet was based entirely on traditional foods grown in her own garden. She grew up eating home-cooked meals, fresh vegetables and dairy products, never indulging in excess.
On 25 November 2023, following the death of 108-year-old Viorica Hogaș, she became the oldest known living woman in Romania.
On 3 July 2025, at the age of 109 years and 348 days, she surpassed the final age of Elena Lungoci (1895–2005) of 109 years and 347 days, becoming the oldest known woman ever in Romania.
On 20 July 2025, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the first known female supercentenarian ever recorded in Romania.
On 23 January 2026, following the death of 110-year-old Milka Bauković of Serbia, she became the oldest known living woman in the Balkans.
On 16 April 2026, her age was officially validated by the GRG, verified by Leti Balog, Maria Didina Noja, Dejan Vujić, and Mihai Matei.
On 27 May 2026, following the death of 112-year-old Ilie Ciocan of Vâlcea County (who is also the oldest known person ever in Romania), she became the oldest known living person in Romania.
Following the death of Paladia Noja, the oldest known living person in Romania is 110-year-old Iosif Rus (born 28 October 1915) of Cluj County, and the oldest known living woman in Romania is 109-year-old Viorica Veţian (born 3 October 1916) of Mureș County.
The GRG extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Paladia Noja during this difficult time.