Have you heard of Jeanne Calment? Until recently, the remarkable woman from Arles, France was regarded by the Guiness Book of World Records as the world's oldest person at age 122. Jeanne was born of February 21, 1875, a mere ten years after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. She visited the Eiffel Tower when it was still under construction. At that time, most of the world's modern inventions, such as the radio and the telephone, were still undiscovered.
The daughter of an art supplies store owner, Jeanne met the artist Vincent Van Gogh in 1888. She outlived her husband, who died in 1942, four years before their 50th wedding anniversary. She also outlived her only child, daughter who died in 1934, and her only grandson, a doctor who died in 1963. She reached retirement age the year France was invaded by the Nazis in 1940. By the time France allowed women to vote, Jeanne was already 70.
What's more, Jeanne outlived a lawyer who hoped to take possession of her apartment. She lived off the income from the apartment, which she sold cheaply to the lawyer with the understanding that he would take possession of it when she died. He died more than a year ago at age 77 after paying $184,000, double the apartment's market value for the property. His family was required to keep making the payments.
At 85, Jeanne took up fencing lessons. At 100, she was still riding a bicycle. At 121, she released her CD, "Time's Mistress," which featured her reminiscing about her experiences set to a background of rap music and other catchy tunes. She even presided over a press conference where she answered questions, vividly recalled anecdotes and matched wits with reporters from all over the world! Though blind, nearly deaf and confined to a wheelchair, Jeanne remained incredibly spirited and mentally sharp.
What made this Frenchwoman live so long? Gerontologists were generally baffled, but Jeanne herself would proffer some clues. She credited her longevity to a cheerful attitude, a playfulness with others - and a terrific sense of humor. "I will die laughing," she one predicted.
In other words, Jeanne Calment showed a positive look towards life or what one author calls, "an ability to generate a joyful stance toward life on a daily basis."
For instance, when asked how she felt about having outlived her family, she chuckled and quipped, "I just think the good Lord has forgotten about me." Another time, she sent her listeners roaring in laughter when she told them that "I've only got one wrinkle, and I'm sitting on it." Her credo? "I took pleasure when I could. I acted clearly and morally and without regret."