Angelina De Simone travels 700 km to celebrate 100th birthday in Gragnano

Angelina De Simone, born in 1926, traveled nearly 700 kilometers by land and sea from Vittoria, Sicily, to her hometown of Gragnano, Naples, to celebrate her 100th birthday.

De Simone, who had been living in Sicily with her son Salvatore Donnarumma since the pandemic, chose to undertake the journey during extreme heat to allow her large extended family to reunite in her place of birth. The celebration included approximately 90 relatives, including her three sons and a two-month-old great-grandson who traveled from Padova to meet her.

When asked about her secret to longevity and health, De Simone simply replied, “Living,” noting that she enjoys a full diet including traditional Neapolitan foods such as fried items, lasagna, and cheeses. She currently spends her time reading, doing crosswords, and crocheting.