How old can a human being get? The verified record stands at 122 years and 164 days, held by Jeanne Calment of France who passed away in 1997. Her birth was thoroughly documented by church and state records, making her the oldest verified person in human history.
People who reach 110 years or older are called supercentenarians. At any given time, only about 300–450 supercentenarians are estimated to be alive across the entire world — an extraordinarily rare group.
Guinness World Records requires multiple independent forms of documentation to verify extreme ages — birth certificates, baptism records, census data, school records and living witnesses where possible. This rigorous process exists because unverified age claims throughout history have sometimes exaggerated lifespans significantly.
Modern research into longevity has identified several key factors associated with reaching extreme old age, including genetics, diet, social connection, regular physical activity, and a sense of purpose. Populations in regions known as Blue Zones — including Sardinia in Italy, Okinawa in Japan, and Loma Linda in California — consistently produce higher numbers of centenarians than average.
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