Meet Jeralean Talley. The World’s Oldest Person.

Jeralean Talley


After the death of 117-year-old Misawo Okawa from Japan on April 1st, and the death of 116-year-old Gertrude Weaver from Arkansas, just 5 days later, 115-year-old Jeralean Talley is now the world’s oldest person.

Talley, who was born May 23, 1899, is a native of Detroit, Michigan, her family has lived in the area for five generations. Family friends describe the Inkster resident who enjoys the occasional fishing, as “very sharp.

According to 115-year-old Jeralean Talley, the secret to longevity is,

“do unto others as you desire them to do unto you” and eat lots of pork—specifically hog’s head cheese—which doesn’t contain cheese and is mostly made of pigs’ ears and feet.