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World's Oldest Twins Are 102-Year-Old Scottish Sisters Edith Ritchie and Evelyn Middleton

102 Year Old Twins

HuffPost Weird News   First Posted: 02/ 7/2012 5:58 pm Updated: 02/ 7/2012 5:58 pm

Edith Ritchie and Evelyn Middleton turned 102 on November 15, but they had to wait until this week for the real present.

Guinness World Records has named the centenarian sisters, who hail from Aberdeenshire, Scotland,the world's oldest twins.

“Edith and Evelyn are a remarkable pair," said Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday in a press release.

"When they were born, the likes of Mark Twain and Florence Nightingale were still alive, and we had yet to conquer the South Pole. They’re not just the oldest in the UK, they hold the world title. They’ve clearly benefitted from good genes, and a solid life-long friendship that only twins can truly understand.”

The sisters just edged out the previous record holders Ena Pugh and Lily Millward, who are still alive and kicking, just six weeks younger.

Although there are claims of 107-year-old twins living in the Ukraine, the Scottish sisters' claim remains the only record verified by Guinness officials, reported the Metro.co.uk.

The twins are not identical, but their mother always dressed them exactly the same, with bows in their matching long brown plaits, according to the Daily Mail.

After leaving school, the sisters worked on farms before leaving to start their own families.

Evelyn married William Middleton and had four children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

GUINNESS PHOTOS: (Story Continues Below)

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Edith, married Nathaniel Ritchie and had four children, nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren

The sisters have remained close throughout their life and now live together at Bonnyton House, an assisted living facility in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and Edith credits their long life to three things: “Simple living, hard work and a good husband.”


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Edith Ritchie and Evelyn Middleton turned 102 on November 15, but they had to wait until this week for the real present. Guinness World Records has named the centenarian sisters, who hail from Aber...
Edith Ritchie and Evelyn Middleton turned 102 on November 15, but they had to wait until this week for the real present. Guinness World Records has named the centenarian sisters, who hail from Aber...
 
 
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12:38 PM on 02/08/2012
How lovely, I am honored to have read their story. good for them.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Karen Pottruff
read and surf internet
01:55 PM on 02/08/2012
How nice for them that they have each other. My mother lived to be 101. It's something to aspire to.
11:40 AM on 02/08/2012
The cold weather in Northern Scotland probably preserved them!
BBlaw16
It just. Doesn't. Matter.
10:19 AM on 02/08/2012
Guinness, for strength.
photo
prestonsturges
Lights! Camera! Action!
02:02 PM on 02/08/2012
Good for them; they both deserve a Pint! Well done!
09:01 AM on 02/08/2012
I don't think this should be in the "weird news" section. It's quite a blessing.
photo
YakittyGirl
Pro deo et patria
10:06 PM on 02/13/2012
I totally agree. Fanne for your sharp post.
08:13 AM on 02/08/2012
wow dat good to see your 102 birthday GOD has been good 2 them
07:22 AM on 02/08/2012
Nice story, Happy Birthday!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
anitafeeney
no matter where you go there you are
03:52 AM on 02/08/2012
i love it
10:24 PM on 02/07/2012
wow, they look pretty good for their age, and their still smiling!
09:42 PM on 02/07/2012
I hope they are having as much as they can. HAPPY BIRTH DAY.
09:23 PM on 02/07/2012
Happy Belated Birthday ladies!!!! I think they are adorable!!!! With age comes a sortof backward flow...you get the benefit of years of wisdom but the innocence of youth reborn. I always loved working with older people. Their sweet smiles and their bright eyes that seem to stand out against their white and silver hair. Congratulations on your birthday!!!! I wish you many more together!
08:32 PM on 02/07/2012
How wonder, ladies, I wish you more years of health and happiness. God bless you both (and your offspring)!

I wonder who the oldest living triplets are?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
AbbyB123
08:14 PM on 02/07/2012
Why is this in the "weird" section? It's interesting that people are living longer and longer. Did you read about the lady who was the last surviving veteran of World War II? She was 110! My own grandmother, who just died two years ago, was 102. This is becoming increasingly common.
09:06 PM on 02/07/2012
You mean World War I, not World War II. Also, this is under "Weird" not because they are 102, but because they are the oldest living twins.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
AbbyB123
10:46 PM on 02/07/2012
Many vets of World War II are also living to ripe old ages. Time will tell...
07:52 PM on 02/07/2012
Britishmen make good husbands, American men...............
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Ramkshrestha
Welcome to Nepal - the birthplace of Buddha
07:04 PM on 02/07/2012
Good on you
firstamendment3
It's all so ironic.
06:57 PM on 02/07/2012
So sad to live so long and have your life summed up in the "weird" section of the news.
09:12 PM on 02/07/2012
I won't have any problem having my life summed up in the "weird" section when I'm 102. I'll take celebrity any way and any time I can get it!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Don Mathews
12:18 AM on 02/08/2012
So sad that all you got from the story is where it was placed - it wasn't placed in the weird section because they're 102 but because they're 102-yr. old twins. Weird doesn't mean bad - just odd and interesting. Time to get a life if all you're doing is focusing on the stupid little details vs. the larger picture.
firstamendment3
It's all so ironic.
09:04 AM on 02/08/2012
I suggest you take your own advice.