The Title Of The World's Oldest Person, This French Nun Also Holds The Other Three Oldest 'titles'

The oldest person in the world Sister Andre. (Source: Guinness World Records)

JAKARTA - A 118-year-old nun living in a nursing home in southern France has become the world's oldest living person, according to Guinness World Records.

Sister André is also the world's oldest living nun and the oldest nun ever, according to a statement released by record-breaking authorities on Monday.

Born Lucile Randon on February 11, 1904, Sister André had dedicated most of her life to religious service, the statement said.

Before becoming a Catholic nun, she cared for children during World War II, then spent 28 years caring for orphans and the elderly in hospitals.

Sister André, who lives near the French city of Toulon, is also the oldest person to survive COVID-19 in the world. A Guinness World Records statement said she tested positive for the virus in early 2021, but made a full recovery within three weeks, just in time for her 117th birthday.

In an interview with French TV channel RMC Story on Tuesday, Sister André seems to have mixed feelings about being the oldest living person.

"I felt I would be better off in heaven, but the good God didn't want me yet", she said, calling the title a "sad honour."

However, he also expressed his joy at being "pampered" by his family.

Sister André enjoyed chocolate and wine, drinking a glass every day, the nursing home where she lives, Résidence Catherine Labouré, told CNN.

When she turned 118 earlier this year, the elderly nun received a handwritten birthday note from French President Emmanuel Macron, the 18th President of France in her life, according to a tweet from the nursing home. There have also been 10 different Popes who have presided over the Catholic Church since she was born.

Sister André became the world's oldest after the death of Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman previously certified as the world's oldest person, who died at the age of 119 on April 19.

The title of oldest person on record also belongs to a French woman. Born on February 21, 1875, Jeanne Louise Calment's life spanned 122 years and 164 days, according to a Guinness World Records statement.

New record: Oldest living person - Sister André, aged 118 years and 73 days old.

Sister André, born 11 February 1904 as Lucile Randon, is the oldest living person as well as the world's oldest nun and the oldest person to survive COVID-19 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3HisPI4saO

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) April 25, 2022