World's Oldest Woman Misao Okawa Celebrates 117th Birthday

Yagana Shah

o MISAO OKAWA 570 resized 600

The oldest woman in the world, Japan's Misao Okawa, celebrated her birthday today (it's actually March 5), and though she's also one of the oldest people to ever live, the 117-year-old insists living this long is really no big deal.

Okawa celebrated her birthday a day early wearing a pink kimono at her nursing home and was presented with a bouquet of flowers. When asked about how she felt about reaching the milestone birthday, she simply said, "It seemed rather short," but added she was "very happy."

Okawa is one of the five documented people born in the 1800s who are still alive today (she was born in 1898). Okawa's predecessor was also Japanese. It's estimated that Japan has around 58,000 centenarians -- the highest of any country in the world. It's no surprise as Okinawa, Japan is considered to be a "blue zone" where extreme longevity is quite common. It's believed that their plant-based soy-rich diet -- as well as exercise and plenty of sunshine -- all contribute to residents' long lives.

As for Okawa, she's said that eating well, getting her eight hours of sleep at night and knowing how to relax are what have kept her going so long. But today, she was a little more nonchalant about her 117 years on the planet, saying she's not so sure what the secret to longevity is. "I wonder about that too," she said.

Many happy returns of the day, Misao!

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Recent Posts

10 Cozy Autumn Activities for Nurses
As Nurses, we’re used to caring for everyone else, patients, families, friends; often leaving ourselves at the bottom of the list. But as the air turns crisp and the leaves show off their fiery...
Read More
Frontier Nursing University Introduces Office of Student Engagement, Access, and Success
Frontier remains committed to fostering an environment that values and supports all students and honors diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. VERSAILLES, Ky. – Frontier Nursing...
Read More
The Role of Language and Culture in Patient Care
In today’s increasingly diverse healthcare landscape, language and culture are far more than communication tools, they’re fundamental components of high-quality, patient-centered care. When language...
Read More

Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter

Education_Award_Square