Sr. André has lived through two world wars and survived two global pandemics.
Sister Andre, born as Lucile Randon on February 11, 1904 is now 118 years and 73 day old living in a nursing home in Southern France. She is now the world’s oldest living person, according to the Guinness World Records.
She worked as a governess in Paris and after World War II, spent 28 years caring for orphans and the elderly before joining the Daughters of Charity.
Upon joining, she took the name Sr. André in 1944 - “Andre” after her late brother.
Despite her age, she wakes up at 7 a.m. for breakfast and attends morning Mass everyday.
According to her carers in her retirement home, Sr. André wants to beat the record as France’s oldest ever living person which is currently held by Jeanne Calment who died at the age of 122.
Guilty pleasures
Among her guilty pleasures are candies, chocolate, and a daily glass of wine. Her birthdays have been celebrated with a port-and-wine combo.
Her secret to her long life? “Pray and drink a cup of chocolate every day.”
Other than being the oldest living person, she also holds titles for being the oldest living woman, oldest nun and the oldest COVID-19 survivor.
In the Guinness statement on Monday, it states that she tested positive for the virus in 2021 and recovered after three weeks, in time for her 117th birthday.
Kane Tanaka, who was the previous world’s oldest, died on April 19 at 118 years old.
Upon hearing the news, Sr. André told local media, “I feel I would be better off in heaven, but the good Lord doesn't want me yet," she said and called her new title a "sad honor."
Confirmed by the International Database on Longevity (IDL), whose spokesperson said
"Sister Andre indeed becomes the oldest, and by far, since the next oldest is a Polish woman who is 115."
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