Marie-Virginie Duhem | Gerontology Research Group

Full name: Marie-Virginie Duhem (née Mollet)
Lifespan: (02.08.1866 – 25.04.1978)
Age: 111 years, 266 days
Birthplace: Seclin, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France
Last residence: Wattignies, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France
Application date: N/A
Validation date: 09.04.1999
Validation source: Guinness World Records/Dr. Jean-Marie Robine

Biography

Marie-Virginie Duhem was born in Seclin, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France, on 2 August 1866, as the daughter of Charles Mollet (1827–1899) and Virginie Serrurier (1826–1907).

She married Hippolyte Duhem (1862–1939) on 24 June 1893 in Seclin; he was a chemical engineer. They had eight children, who had fifteen grandchildren. One of her daughters, Agnès Costemend, lived to age 105, born on 1 December 1907 and died on 4 June 2013.

In 1972, at the age of 106, Duhem fell in the stairs, and was hospitalised during three weeks, but managed to recover.

On 4 September 1975, following the death of 109-year-old Marie-Ernestine Compain, she became the oldest living person in France, and following the death of 111-year-old Rose Heeley of the United Kingdom on 24 December 1975, she became the oldest living person in Europe.

On 2 August 1976, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On 21 January 1977, at the age of 110, Duhem received the Légion d’Honneur’s cross from Maurice Schumann. At that time, it as reported she was almost blind, so she listens the radio rather than watching television. She had also more than 500 descendants. When asked if she prefered the Belle Epoque or this time, she replied: “There’s a bit more liberty for children… Finally, it’s good.” When asked for the secret of her longevity, she was surpised, because she thinks there isn’t any secret.

Marie-Virginie Duhem died in Wattignies, Nord, Hauts-de-France, France, on 25 April 1978, at the age of 111 years, 266 days.

Marie-Virginie Duhem (aged 110) on 21 January 1977

Longevity recognition

Oldest living person in France (04.09.1975 – 25.04.1978)
Oldest living person in Europe (24.12.1975 – 25.04.1978)

Validation

Her age was verified by Guinness World Records, and Dr. Jean-Marie Robine, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 9 April 1999.