Zoraida Montezuma, the oldest known living person in Costa Rica, celebrates her 113th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Zoraida del Carmen Montezuma Ortega, the oldest known living person in Costa Rica, celebrated her 113th birthday in San Jose Province, on 31 October 2026. Zoraida Montezuma was born in Limon, Costa Rica on 31 October 1913. She was christened on 23 November 1913 in the presence of her parents; Juan Montezuma and Luisa Ortega. On 31 October 2023, Zoraida celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On 2 April 2024, her age was officially validated by the GRG, verified by Oliver Trim and Dr. Wacław Jan Kroczek. On 20 June 2025, following the death of 114-year-old Marita Camacho Quirós (who is also the oldest…
Hedwig Zaugg, the oldest known living person in Switzerland, dies at 111
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is saddened to reported that Mrs. Hedwig Zaugg, the oldest known living person in Switzerland, sadly passed away in Huttwil, Canton of Bern on 28 October 2026 at the final age of 111 years and 164 days. Hedwig Zaugg was born in Walterswil, Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on 17 May 1915. In 1941, at the age of 26, she married Andreas Zaugg. They welcomed their first daughter, Marianne, in 1944, followed by their second daughter, Katharina, in 1949. That same year, Andreas gave Hedwig a sewing and knitting machine to use at home. Also in 1949, the couple took over the stamping mill previously run by Hedwig’s father. Her husband died in…
Iosif Rus, the oldest known living person in Romania, celebrates his 111th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mr. Iosif Rus, the oldest known living person in Romania and the oldest known living man in the the Balkans, celebrated his 111th birthday in Gherla, Cluj County, on 28 October 2026. Biography Iosif Rus was born in the locality of Ghiolt in Țaga, Cluj County, Austria-Hungary (now Romania), on 28 October 1915, to parents Iacob Rus (1881–1978) and Raveca Rus (1883–1918). His father was taken prisoner in Siberia during World War I and his mother died on Pentecost in 1918 when he was two and a half years old. He had three older siblings. His father returned from Russia in November 1918 and later remarried,…
Bill Morgan, the second-oldest known living man in Australia, celebrates his 111th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mr. William “Bill” Morgan, the second-oldest known living man in Australia, celebrated his 111th birthday in Melbourne, Victoria, on 23 October 2026. Bill Morgan was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 23 October 1915, to parents John and Jean Morgan. As a young boy, he quickly developed a passion for sports, and it was not long before he became enamoured with his local VFL team, the Footscray Bulldogs. During Bill’s time at Scottish College, he served as president of the student council and was also an outstanding athlete, captaining the school’s rowing team and playing center for the 18th men’s rugby team. His athletic talents continued…
Kirsten Schwalbe, 112, became the oldest known person ever in Denmark
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is delighted to announce that Mrs. Kirsten Schwalbe, the oldest known living person in Denmark, reached the age of 112 years and 218 days on 14 October 2026 and became the oldest known person ever in Denmark. Kirsten Schwalbe was born in Struer, Midtjylland, Denmark on 10 March 1914. She got married in 1938 and had three daughters. Her husband died in 1981. There has a longevity history in her family. Two of her siblings lived to be 100 and 103. Her brother Bertel was aged 103 as of 2024. At the age of 104, she developed heart problems and was given a pacemaker. On 10 March 2024,…