Qamile Marra seeks world record as potentially oldest woman

Qamile Marra, a 117-year-old woman from Albania, is a potential candidate for the title of the world’s oldest woman. According to her identification documents, she was born on August 19, 1909, making her two days older than the current Guinness World Records holder, Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom.

Marra’s family has contacted Guinness World Records to formally verify her age. To support her claim, she possesses a birth certificate issued retroactively in 1945, a 1978 passport, and a current identity card, all of which list the same birth date.

Her extreme age previously caused issues with local authorities in Albania, who ceased her pension payments after her 100th birthday because they did not believe she was still alive. Her 80-year-old son, Hysen, eventually restored the payments by providing necessary documentation and witnesses. Despite her age, Marra remains active in her daily routine, including tending to her chickens and sweeping her courtyard.