03/29/2026
Kane Tanaka was a Japanese supercentenarian who became known as the world’s oldest living person. She was born on January 2, 1903, in Fukuoka, Japan, and lived through many major events in modern history. When World War I began in 1914, she was 11 years old. She was 36 when World War II started in 1939, and 74 when the first Star Wars film was released in 1977. She was also alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching the age of 117 when it began in 2020.
Tanaka was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person in 2019 at age 116. She later lived to be 119 years old before passing away on April 19, 2022. Her life spanned over a century of global change, from early wars to modern technology.
She was known for her positive attitude and simple lifestyle, making her life an inspiring example of longevity and resilience.
