The passing away of Maria Pieternella Platteel-Klingeman (1915-2025)
The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to relay news that Maria Pieternella Platteel-Klingeman from the Netherlands has passed away at the age of 110. Maria Pieternella Klingeman, known as Rie, was born on June 2 1915 in Rotterdam, South Holland, to parents Pieter Johannes Klingeman and Maria Anna de Bont. On September 27 1939 she married Alexander Platteel in Rotterdam. They had at least three children together and lived in Aruba and Indonesia before returning to the Netherlands. Alexander passed away in 1990, after which Rie didn’t remarry. In June 2025 she celebrated her 110th birthday, as confirmed by Netherlands correspondent Gertjan Kuiper. Rie passed away in Gorinchem, South Holland,…
The doyennes of Norway turn 111
The Gerontology Research Group is glad to announce that Margit Larsen and Lina Anundsen , the oldest women in Norway, just celebrated their 111th birthday. Lina Anundsen (née Solheim) was born in Kløverød, near the village of Siljan, in Telemark County, Norway on 12 November 1914, to parents Ole Edvardsen (1882–1963) and Inga Larsdatter (1881–1950). She was the fourth of nine siblings. In her youth, she loved dancing, but after several preachers visited, she became a devout Christian and attended the village prayer house for many years. In 1934, at the age of 20, she married Gunnar Anundsen (1913–2002) and had six children over the next 19 years. Her husband passed away…
Second oldest living woman in Michigan celebrates 113th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group is pleased to inform that Mrs. Louise Burkhalter, the second oldest living person in the state of Michigan, USA, has celebrated her 113th birthday. Etta Louise Jones, known as Louise, was born November 13th 1912 in Hilsborough County, Florida, to John and Sarah Jones. On December 16th 1929, aged 17, she married Carl Bowman Burkhalter in Hillsborough County. After marrying they moved to Michigan and had four children – a son and three daughters. Their son sadly died at only a few days old. Carl sadly passed away in 1992, leaving Louise a widow. She currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 113. Her age was verified…
Zofia Powałowska of Poland, 110, honored by the GRG on her 110th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group is pleased to inform that Mrs. Zofia Powałowska of Gdańsk, Pomerania Voivodeship, Poland has celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the second supercentenarian in Poland born in 1915. On this day, she was paid a visit by Dr. Wacław Jan Kroczek, GRG Director and Correspondent for Poland and Nordic Countries. She is the second-oldest validated living person in Poland behind 110-year old Anna Winiarska of Huta Gogołowska, Subcarpathia Voivodeship. In addition to this, Zofia Powałowska is the second supercentenarian in the history of Pomerania Voivodeship behind Anna Styś of Chojnice (1908-2020). Zofia Powałowska’s age was mericulously examined and verified by Dr. Wacław Jan Kroczek with invaluable support…
Zoraida del Carmen Montezuma, Costa Rica’s oldest person, celebrated her 112th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group is pleased to announce news that Zoraida del Carmen Montezuma, the oldest living person in Costa Rica, celebrated her 112th birthday in San Rafael de Escazú, San José Province, on 31 October 2025. Zoraida del Carmen Montezuma was born in Limón, Limón Province, Costa Rica, on 31 October 1913. On 31 October 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On 20 June 2025, following the death of 114-year-old Marita Camacho Quirós, the former First Lady, she became the oldest living person in Costa Rica.