Besse Cooper, World's Oldest Person, Turns 115

By Associated Press

MONROE, Ga. — About 15 to 20 people celebrated the birthday of Besse Cooper, who is listed as the world's oldest person.

Cooper turned 115 Friday.

Her daughter-in-law Edith Cooper said a small group of relatives and friends gathered at a Monroe nursing home, where Besse Cooper enjoyed two small slivers of her birthday cake and nodded with approval as musician Mike Cronic sang "Tennessee Waltz."

Cooper was born in Tennessee and moved to Georgia during World War I to find work as a teacher. She has 12 grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Her husband Luther died in 1963.

Cooper was declared the world's oldest in January. In May, Guinness learned that Maria Gomes Valentin of Brazil was 48 days older. Valentin died June 21.

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Comments

[Mercgal]

05:35 AM on 10/25/2011

My Gramma made it to 105. She was the coolest lady ever. She ate mostly things she grew in her huge garden, and enoyed butter and bacon and the things we are told that kill you. She never smoked, drank a tiny bit of wine on Sundays, and relied on her "cough medicine" to help her sleep. It had codiene in it lol! She never abused it, but after her beloved husband passed in 1985 she couldnt sleep. Her kind hearted family Dr gave her an RX, and she took it whenever she needed it. I miss her so much!! Love ya Granny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[learninglife]

03:54 PM on 08/31/2011

It must be surreal to have flashes of memory from say, 1908.

[Gracey28]

11:26 PM on 08/28/2011

It is so awesome for her but I can't imagine myself at that age. All the experience, wisdom and knowledge she must have and all that she has seen and been through. Amazing.

[LeoChild]

11:24 PM on 08/28/2011

I don't want to live that long. 80 at the most.

[Ednah]

12:24 AM on 08/29/2011

You might have a different opinion when you are 79.

[LeoChild]

01:04 AM on 08/29/2011

the senior community where my mother lives is 2500/month with me paying 1700 of it. Its a terrible financial burden. Meanwhile my child is getting the short end of the stick. I'm certain that I'll have to pull her out of prep school.
All because I don't want my mom living at a Medicaid only dump. So to make a long story short I don't want to be a burden to my kid like my mom is to me. Maybe it would be fifteenth if she was thankful and not so entitled.

[LMPE]

06:21 PM on 08/28/2011

OK, so this is the Georgia in the US. The other Georgia has Antisa Khvichava, believed to be over 130 years old.

[VMoreno]

01:57 PM on 08/28/2011

What I wouldn't give to sit down with her for two hours and just listen. It would be better than any book or movie.

[labman]

04:42 PM on 08/27/2011

She looks great for 115. I can only hope to look as good when I hit 80

[Bushwhacked]

04:41 PM on 08/27/2011

Congratulations to Mrs. Cooper!

[Soundofthunder]

04:41 PM on 08/27/2011

World's oldest person is one baton that gets passed more often than others.

S

[Lady Doodlebug]

04:40 PM on 08/27/2011

Congratulations, Mrs. Cooper. I can't imagine the history you have lived through!

[TobusRex]

04:31 PM on 08/27/2011

Congrats Besse! This woman was 49 years old when World War 2 ended! This woman was 17 when the Titanic sunk! 33 when the Great Depression began!

There must be a really weird competitive thing going down amongst the super old. You know these old folks are studiously checking the "world's oldest" list everyday, hoping the person older than them dies!

[FrancineFishpaw]

03:34 PM on 08/27/2011

Besse looks a bit like Muammar Gadhafis' mother. Good for the old braod for lasting 115 years. The changes she has seen.

[TruthRains]

03:22 PM on 08/27/2011

For me, 100+ years of Earth living would be too much. For those who choose to do it, more power to you.

[bensisco]

03:11 PM on 08/27/2011

She looks great! She must have done things right in life.

[annie0107]

02:31 PM on 08/27/2011

bless you Besse ... many, many more