Europe's Oldest Person Dies at 116

Giuseppina Robucci, a 116-year-old woman from the southern Italian town of Poggio Imperiale, is believed to have been the oldest person in Europe.

Robucci was born in Italy on March 20, 1903, and passed away on June 18, 2019, at the age of 116 years and 90 days. The cause of death was not confirmed.

She was known locally as Nonna Peppa and is survived by five children, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

The Italian news agency ANSA confirmed the reports of her death on Tuesday, and Poggio Imperiale mayor Alfonso D’Aloisio was quoted as saying:

"We are saddened by her death, but at the same time, we are honored to have had her as a fellow citizen."

Robucci managed a coffee shop in Poggio Imperiale for most of her life. In addition, she was named as honorary mayor in 2012.

According to Robert Young from the American-based Gerontology Research Group, Robucci was the last European born in 1903.

The current oldest living person in the world is Kane Tanaka of Japan. Tanaka, who was also born in 1903, is just two months older than Robucci.

The previous record-holder, Koku Istambulova, passed away on January 27, 2019, at the age of 129. In an interview shortly before her death, Istambulova said she wished she had died young.

She recalled the brutality of being deported into exile by Stalin during World War II and claimed to have just one day of happiness in all her life.

The world's oldest living man, Russian citizen Appaz Iliev, passed away at the age of 123 back in May. Read more about his life here.