<P> According to this criterion, the longest human lifespan is that of Jeanne Calment of France (1875--1997), who lived to the age of 122 years, 164 days . She met Vincent van Gogh when she was 12 or 13 . She received news media attention in 1985, after turning 110 . Subsequent investigation found documentation for Calment's age, beyond any reasonable question, in the records of her native city, Arles, France . More evidence of Calment's lifespan has been produced than for any other supercentenarian, such that her case serves as an archetype in the methodology for verifying the ages of the world's oldest people . </P> <P> As women live longer than men on average, combined records for both sexes are dominated by women . The longest undisputed lifespan for a man is that of Jiroemon Kimura of Japan (1897--2013), who died at age 116 years, 54 days . </P> <P> Since the death of 117 - year - old Nabi Tajima of Japan on 21 April 2018, 117 - year - old Chiyo Miyako of Japan, born 2 May 1901, is the oldest living person in the world whose age has been documented . Since the death of 113 - year - old Francisco Núñez Olivera of Spain on 29 January 2018, 112 - year - old Masazō Nonaka of Japan, born 25 July 1905, is the world's oldest living man . </P> <P> Systematic verification of longevity has only been practiced in recent decades and only in certain parts of the world . All ten of these people are women . </P>

What age is the oldest person on earth