Anna Gawłowska
- Full name: Anna Gawłowska
- Lifespan: (06.06.1913 – 19.07.2024)
- Age: 111 years, 43 days
- Birthplace: Teschen, Austria-Hungary (now Cieszyn, Cieszyn County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland)
- Last residence: Czerwionka-Leszczyny, Rybnik County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland
- Application date: 06.06.2023
- Validation date: 12.11.2023
- Validation source: Waclaw Jan Kroczek/Urszula Gawłowska/Natalie Coles
Biography
Anna Gawłowska was born in Teschen, Austria-Hungary (now Cieszyn, Cieszyn County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland) on 6 June 1913, during the reign of Archduke Friedrich, Duke of Teschen. Anna Gawłowska’s life has woven a rich tapestry of love, family, and enduring memories. In 1936, she embarked on the journey of marriage, and in 1947, she added another chapter by moving to Czerwionka, where she became the proud mother of a son and a daughter. She lived with her family first at the Alee of Saint Barbara, and then in the Leszczyny castle. She is an extremely cheerful, kind and very liked person. With a legacy that now extends to a cherished grandchild and two great-grandchildren, Anna resides alongside her daughter Urszula, embracing the warmth of family bonds.
Reportedly, Anna Gawłowska was still solving crosswords at age 104. On occasion of each birthday she was visited by Major of Czerwionka-Leszczyny, Wiesław Janiszewski. When asked about her secret to a long and cheerful life, Anna replies that one has to accept everything that fate sends us and smile at the world.
On 6 June 2023, Anna Gawłowska stepped into the exquisite realm of supercentenarians as she marked her 110th birthday, a joyous occasion announced on the prestigious World Supercentenarian Forum.
Holding a special place in the annals of Polish longevity, Anna Gawłowska was the second-oldest known living person in Poland, behind Jadwiga Żak-Stewart (112) of Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship; however, as Jadwiga’s age remains unvalidated, Anna Gawłowska has hold the title of Doyenne of Poland.
Additionally, following the death of 116-year-old Tekla Juniewicz on 19 August 2022, Anna Gawłowska assumed the title of the oldest living person in Silesia Voivodeship. In the history of this region, she is the second supercentenarian to be acknowledged, after Tekla Juniewicz.
On 15 May 2024, Anna Gawłowska was visited by Natalie Coles, wife of Dr. L. Stephen Coles, the founder of the GRG, and Dr. Aubrey de Grey. On 6 June 2024, she turned 111.
Anna Gawłowska died in Czerwionka-Leszczyny, Rybnik County, Silesia Voivodeship, Poland on 19 July 2024 at the age of 111 years, 43 days.
Longevity recognition
- Oldest living person in Silesia Voivodeship (19.08.2022 – 19.07.2024)
- Doyenne of Poland (03.08.2023 – 19.07.2024)
Validation
Anna Gawłowska was verified by Wacław Jan Kroczek, GRG Poland and Nordic Countries Correspondent, with the significant and invaluable help of Urszula Gawłowska Mrs. Gawłowska’s daughter and carer, and Natalie Coles, wife of Dr. Leslie Stephen Coles, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 12 November 2023.
Anna Gawłowska on her 110th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 110th birthday with GRG-Poland Correspondent Wacław Jan Kroczek.
Anna Gawłowska at the age of 100.
Anna Gawłowska on her 104th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 105th birthday, with Wiesław Janiszewski, major of Czerwionka-Leszczyny, and her children.
Anna Gawłowska on her 105th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 105th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 105th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 106th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 107th birthday, with her daughter Urszula Gawłowska.
Anna Gawłowska on her 108th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 109th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska on her 110th birthday.
Anna Gawłowska (aged 110) with Wacław Jan Kroczek on 13 November 2023, honored on occasion of the 105th Poland’s Independence Anniversary.
Anna Gawłowska (aged 110) on 15 May 2024.
Anna Gawłowska (aged 110) with her daughter Urszula Gawłowska 15 May 2024.
Anna Gawłowska (aged 110) with Natalie Coles on 15 May 2024.
Anna Gawłowska (aged 110) with Wacław Jan Kroczek on 15 May 2024
Photos courtesy of Urszula Gawłowska’s archive, and Wacław Jan Kroczek’s archive.