Jeanne Calment, the longest-lived person ever officially recorded, passed away in 1997 at the astonishing age of 122 years and 164 days—a record that still stands today. Her extraordinary lifespan captured global attention, especially because it defied conventional health advice. Calment enjoyed chocolate, wine, and cigarettes throughout much of her life, leaving both scientists and the public intrigued.

Born in 1875 in Arles, France, Calment’s age has been rigorously authenticated through extensive documentation, including birth records, census data, marriage certificates, and photographs. Guinness World Records recognizes her as the only verified human to live beyond 119 years, making her longevity uniquely credible.

Her lifetime stretched across three centuries, encompassing some of history’s most transformative moments. She lived through the invention of electricity, telephones, and automobiles, witnessed the Eiffel Tower rise, survived two World Wars, and saw the dawn of the internet. She also observed major cultural and political shifts, including the American Civil Rights Movement.

What amazed many was her physical and mental vitality well into extreme old age. Calment continued riding her bicycle into her 90s, and at age 100, she walked through her hometown to personally thank those celebrating her birthday. She remained socially active, mentally alert, and largely independent far beyond what most consider old age.

Her daily habits surprised doctors. She reportedly ate large amounts of chocolate every week, enjoyed dessert after meals, drank port wine in moderation, and smoked from her early 20s until the age of 117. Despite this, she avoided many of the chronic diseases commonly linked to such behaviors.

Calment was also remembered for her sharp humor and positive outlook. At 120, she joked, “I see badly, I hear badly, I feel nothing—but I’m doing fine,” and once quipped that she had “only one wrinkle, and she was sitting on it.”

Researchers believe her emotional resilience played a crucial role in her longevity. Jean-Marie Robin, a gerontologist who studied her for years, described her as unusually resistant to stress. Calment herself summed up her philosophy simply: “If something cannot be changed, there’s no reason to worry about it.”

While her lifespan may never be matched, Jeanne Calment’s story suggests that staying active, socially connected, mentally curious, and emotionally calm may be just as important as genetics when it comes to aging well.