World’s Oldest Person Dies at 118

Sister André, a French nun, died January 17 at age 118 in Toulon, a city in southern France.

Born in 1904, she was not only the world’s oldest, Guinness-certified person, but also the oldest nun and oldest person in Europe to survive COVID-19, just before her 117th birthday.

She spent her early life as a teacher and governess during World War II, worked with orphans and the elderly at a hospital after the war, and took vows to become a Catholic nun at age 40.

When asked about her longevity, she shared that she enjoyed chocolate and a glass of wine each day. While chocolate and wine in moderation have health benefits, she told reporters, "Work kept me alive." A number of studies have concluded that regular physical activity increases life expectancy.

Dark chocolate has been shown to have health benefits for the heart, with a bit (about an ounce a month) of high-quality dark chocolate consumed one to three times a month possibly reducing the risk of heart failure in women by 32%. It has also been associated with lower blood pressure, a decreased risk of stroke, and lower inflammation, and even may have anti-cancer benefits.