Brief
Albanian woman Qamile Marra may become world’s oldest at 117
Marra, 117, lives in Ferras, Albania, and holds birth records that could outdate the current Guinness record holder.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Albanian resident Qamile Marra, who turned 117 on August 19, may become the world’s oldest living woman, Gulf News reported on Oct 16, 2026.
What happened
Marra was born under Ottoman rule and celebrated her 117th birthday in August 2026. Her birthdate appears on a 1945 birth certificate, a 1978 passport and a recent identity card, all showing August 19, 1909. Her son Hysen said local pension officials stopped her payments when she turned 100, doubting she was alive, and only resumed them after he provided proof.
What the reports add
The article notes that if her documents are accepted, Marra would be two days older than Britain’s Ethel Caterham, currently recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest living woman. It also references a 2024 Ig Nobel‑prize‑winning study that highlighted difficulties in verifying super‑centenarian ages due to poor record‑keeping and pension fraud in some regions.
What was said
Marra told AFP, "Life is beautiful, like Mount Tomorr in bloom," while sitting outside her home in Ferras, about 100 km south of Tirana. She added, "You live as long as God has decreed." Her son Hysen said, "They didn’t believe my mother was still alive," and explained the paperwork he had to present. Marra also remarked, "She is in good health and has never taken any medication," referring to herself.
How it came about
Marra’s relatives have contacted Guinness World Records with the documents, and the Albanian government issued her a special state pension earlier this month to mark her age.
Key facts
- Qamile Marra was born on August 19, 1909, according to multiple official documents. (gulfnews.com)
- If verified, she would be two days older than current record holder Ethel Caterham. (gulfnews.com)
- Her son Hysen had to provide proof to resume her pension after she turned 100. (gulfnews.com)
- Marra lives in Ferras, about 100 km south of Albania’s capital. (gulfnews.com)
- She has never taken medication, according to her son. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Albanian Woman Qamile Marra Could Be the World’s Oldest at 117”
