| Aileen Kars | |
 Aileen Kars on her 107th birthday in 2020 | |
| Birth: | 12 September 1913 Tokomaru, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Age: | 112 years, 147 days |
| Country: |  NZL
|
| Validated | |
Aileen Emily Kars [née Schwass] (born 12 September 1913) is a New Zealand supercentenarian who is currently the oldest known living person in New Zealand, and Oceania. Her age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest (LQ).
Biography[]
Aileen Kars was born on the farm Burnbrae in Tokomaru, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand, on 12 September 1913. At some point, she married Leslie Kars. The two attended the same school. They had two sons, Russell and Graham. They lived on a farm, where they had cows and horses, and she balanced her busy farm duties with raising her children. Her husband died in the 1990s, after 54 years of marriage.
She gave up driving at the age of 95, and lived independently until the day before her 100th birthday in 2013, where it was decided that she would move into a retirement home. She credits her longevity to drinking lots of water and being happy.
On 29 July 2022, following the death of 110-year-old Joan Brennan, she became the oldest known living person in New Zealand. On 29 October 2024, aged 111 years, 47 days, she has surpassed the final age of Madeline Anderson, becoming the oldest person ever born in New Zealand.
On 12 September 2023, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. Her age was verified by Oliver Trim and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 3 December 2023. At the age of 110, she had three grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
On 5 June 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Olga Abate of Australia, she became the oldest known living person in Oceania.
Aileen Kars currently lives in a retirement home in Palmerston North, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand, at the age of 112 years, 147 days.
Gallery[]
References[]
- GRG World Supercentenarian Rankings List Gerontology Research Group
- Aileen Kars Gerontology Research Group
- Aileen Kars celebrates her 105th birthday with a smile Stuff, 12 September 2018
- Aileen Kars sees in her 107th birthday in with Zoom party Stuff, 13 September 2020
- Age a reward for kindness, says Manawatū's oldest resident as she turns 108 Stuff, 12 September 2021
- Faith and family behind longevity of 109 year old Arvida, 15 September 2022
- Talent for caring helps New Zealand's oldest person stay strong Stuff, 12 September 2023
- New Zealand’s oldest person Aileen Kars turns 111, celebration planned in Palmerston North NZ Herald, 11 September 2024
- Aileen Kars, New Zealand’s oldest person, celebrates 112th birthday with high tea NZ Herald, 12 September 2025
| New Zealand's Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Walter Reid • Elizabeth Gilmour • Lavinia Baskerville • Helen Dixon • Maria Totara • Ellen Gibson • Lillian Blyth • Caroline Black • Mabel Gambrill • Agnes Whitworth • Lila Firth • Martha McLeod • Mary Padgett • Florence Sedcole • Edith Robison • Jessie Little • Mary Bromley • Lillian Hickmott • Arthur Bates • Ethel Keen • Jean Tillie • William Swensson • Charles Campbell • Mary Doyle • William Hayes • Bertha Cole • Laura White • Ethel Booth • Mabel Wachner • Florence Finch • Irene Morgan • Ruby Billings • Inez Newton • Doris Mackintosh • Lena Ray • Maudie Wilson • Peg Griffin • Olive Oldfield • Madeline Anderson • Linda Wiggins • Mabel Jenkins • Lola de la Haye • Moy Kim Ng • Nina Brown • Ronald Hermanns • Joan Brennan • Aileen Kars |