Doris Noreen, the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Illinois, celebrated her 113th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Doris Noreen (née Nygren), the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Illinois, celebrated her 113th birthday in Rockford, on 15 September 2026. Doris Noreen was born as Doris Nygren in Rockford, Illinois, USA, on 15 September 1913, to John and Mary (née Hurd) Nygren. She married Carroll Noreen in 1942, but he died six years later of a heart condition, leaving her a widow with two young daughters, Sheryl and Bev. Her parents came to live with her so that she could go to work. She got a job with Barber-Coleman and worked there for 29 years until retiring in 1978. On 15…
The number of centenarians in Japan has surpassed 100 thousand
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is delighted to anounce that the number of centenarians (aged 100+) in Japan, reached 107,677 on 15 September 2026, officially surpassing the 100 thousand mark, according to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). On 15 September 2026, ahead of Respect for the Aged Day (this year on 21 September), the MHLW announced that the number of people aged 100 or over nationwide had reached 107,677. This marks the 56th consecutive year of increase, and the first time the number has exceeded 100 thousand. Of the total, 94,298 were women, accounting for 87.6%, while men accounted for 13,379. At a press conference…
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 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…
Marcelle Demorgny, the second-oldest known living person in France, dies at 113
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is sadden to announce that Mrs. Marcelle Solange Demorgny (née Pressac), the second-oldest known living person in France, sadly passed away in Champagne-Mouton, Charente, Nouvelle-Aquitaine on 12 September 2026 at the final age of 113 years and 186 days. Marcelle Demorgny was born as Marcelle Solange Pressac in the commune of Turgon, Charente Department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, on 10 March 1913. As a child, she walked 3 kilometers to school and back every day in wooden shoes. She was awarded her certificat d’études primaires at the age of 12, and went on to work as a chambermaid in Charente and later Paris. At some point, she married a man with the surname Demorgny and had five children,…
Aileen Kars, the oldest known living person in New Zealand, celebrated her 113th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Aileen Emily Kars (née Schwass), the oldest known living person in New Zealand, celebrated her 113th birthday in Palmerston North, Manawatu-Whanganui, on 12 September 2026. Aileen Kars was born as Aileen Emily Schwass in Tokomaru, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand (North Island), on 12 September 1913. In 1935, she married Leslie John Henry Kars, going on to have two children together – both sons. Leslie passed away in 1990, after which Aileen never remarried. On 29 July 2022, following the death of 110-year-old Joan Brennan, she became the oldest known living person in New Zealand. On 12 September 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. On 3 December…