- Who
- Sarah Knauss
- What
- 117, 204 year(s):day(s)
- Where
- United States ()
- When
The oldest person to accede to the title of oldest living person is Sarah DeRemer Knauss (USA, 24 September 1880–30 December 1999), who was aged 117 years 204 days on the death of the previous holder Marie-Louise Meilleur (Canada) on 16 April 1998. Knauss held the title for 1 year 258 days before passing at the age of 119 years 97 days – the second oldest authenticated age ever reached by a human being.
Sarah was born in Hollywood, Pennsylvania, before the existence of the more famous Hollywood in California. Her incredible longevity makes her the oldest ever American to have their age authenticated.
