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World’s Oldest Person Lived to 122; Recalled Van Gogh Was ‘Ugly and Scary‘

Jeanne Calment, known for her cheerful and independent personality, rode a bicycle until she was 100. (Photo: @winston_zin)

By Louis Bernard

October 2, 2025
3:39 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Jeanne Louise Calment was a French woman who holds the world record for the longest confirmed human lifespan. Born on February 21, 1875, in Arles, France, she lived to the incredible age of 122 years and 164 days, passing away on August 4, 1997. Her life stretched across three centuries and saw the rise of electricity, airplanes, antibiotics, and the internet. Calment’s story is not just about longevity, but about how she lived — with wit, charm, and remarkable vitality. Jeanne came from a wealthy family and married Fernand Calment in 1896. The couple lived comfortably in Arles, where Fernand ran a successful shop. They had one daughter, Yvonne, who tragically died at age 36. Jeanne later raised her grandson Frédéric. Widowed in 1942, she remained in Arles and

Jeanne came from a wealthy family and married Fernand Calment in 1896. The couple lived comfortably in Arles, where Fernand ran a successful shop. They had one daughter, Yvonne, who tragically died at age 36. Jeanne later raised her grandson Frédéric. Widowed in 1942, she remained in Arles and lived independently for most of her life, even riding a bicycle until age 100. She moved into a nursing home only at the age of 110. Jeanne outlived every member of her family and became a public figure in her final years, known for her sense of humor and strong personality.

Jenny’s lifestyle didn’t conform to the typical longevity of a person. She smoked (albeit lightly) for over 90 years, drank port wine, and loved chocolate, reportedly consuming up to a kilogram per week. She loved olive oil, cooking with it and applying it to her skin daily. She was also well-known for her sense of humor. One of her most famous quotes was, “I only have one wrinkle, and I’m sitting on it.”

Her relaxed attitude allowed her to live her life to the fullest. Even in her old age, Jenny’s daily routine remained much the same as it had been in her youth. However, her most persistent habit was to pray first thing every morning—long prayers to God, seeking answers about her future destiny. After lunch, she would take a nap, then knock on the doors off her neighbors in the nursing home, sharing news she had heard on the radio.

One of the most intriguing details about Jeanne Calment’s life is her encounter with the artist Vincent van Gogh. She said she met Vincent Van Gogh when he would buy paint from her uncle’s shop in Arles around 1888. When asked about him, she described Van Gogh as “dirty, badly dressed, and disagreeable.” She remembered Van Gogh’s personality as ugly, ungracious, “reeked of alcohol.” She said that Van Gogh’s eyes were wild and she was afraid of him when she was a child. She might be the only historical witness in the world who saw and understood Van Gogh’s real face, calling him “ugly as sin” and “an awful character”.

During the 1990s, as she grew older, Calment began to attract international attention. Her age was meticulously verified by teams of demographers and longevity experts. They cross-checked an array of documents — including birth, marriage, census, and legal records — to confirm her identity. Photographs spanning decades, signatures, and community testimonies all supported the conclusion that Jeanne Calment truly was who she said she was. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented and validated of any supercentenarian in history.

Jeanne Calment’s legacy is more than just a number. She became a symbol of resilience, positivity, and curiosity about the human lifespan. Even in her 110s and beyond, she engaged with the media, joked with caregivers, and maintained a remarkable clarity of mind. Her story continues to inspire scientists studying aging and people everywhere who are fascinated by the limits of life.

She was a colorful character and enjoyed the modern limelight, stating “I await death and journalists” ahead of her 120th birthday. Jeanne didn’t just live longer than anyone else — she made history while doing it.