World's oldest person celebrates 115th birthday

Besse Cooper's birthday celebrations were held at her residence in Monroe, Georgia – although this year, unlike last, there was no Elvis impersonator at the party.

A researcher from Guinness Book of World Records was on hand at Mrs Cooper's birthday party to deliver the Tennessee native her second plaque that certifies her as the oldest person on the planet.

"We thought one was enough," said her son, Sidney Cooper, 76.

"She still remembers things and thinks clearly and talks.

"But she has her good days and her bad days. I'd say she sleeps about 80 per cent of the time."

Born in Tennessee in 1896, Besse Cooper moved to Georgia during World War in search of work as a teacher.

She married her husband Luther in 1924, and they had four children.

Today she has 12 grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

In the same year Mrs Cooper was born, the first Dow Jones Industrial Average was published, the first modern Olympic Games were held and the first Ford vehicle was built.

"She never worried," says her son.

Besse Cooper told local newspapers that her secret to longevity lies in two key tenets.

"I mind my own business," she said. "And I don't eat junk food."


/The Telegraph/