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Bi Nu

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Bi Nu
Bi Nu
Bi Nu in October 2020, aged 113.
Birth: 1 August/8 October 1907
Taizhou, Zhejiang, Qing dynasty (China)
Death: fl.15 February 2021
Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
Age: 113 years, 130+ days
Country: ChinaCHN
Unvalidated

Bi Nu [Chinese: 毕女] (1 August/8 October 1907 – fl.15 February 2021) was a Chinese supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Bi Nu claimed to have been born between 1 August and 8 October 1907 in Laochangji Village, Taozhu Town, Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang, Qing dynasty (China).

Bi was born in a poor family. Her mother died when she was 14. She married a man who was also from a poor family, and was 10 years older than her. She was later rejected by her mother-in-law because she hadn't given birth to a child: "She beat me a lot, and one time, she pushed me at ground and gave me several kicks."

Bi had her first son, Li Shutai [Chinese: 李叔台], at age 34; he later married Xiang Dongmei [Chinese: 项冬妹], 10 years younger than him. She also had two sons and two daughters; the last child she had was one of her sons, at age 50, and she gave birth to her penultimate child at age 46. Her two daughters maried in Sanmen County.

Her nephew, Li Xianshun [Chinese: 李仙顺] (aged 78 in 2020), said: "In the first years, the family was very poor." Bi worked when she was pregnant of her first son. She was widowed at the age of 58, and must live alone with her 5 children. "The family's income was almost entirely supported by her. Later, the oldest son began to work, and her burden was a bit lighter." Bi herself said about it: "It was very bitter, but it's finished."

Later Life[]

The villagers reported that Bi love sweeping the yard (while standing with a cane). Also, she had a fall, and began to have difficulties to walk (but was still in good physical health), so she rarely goes out. As her third son and her daughter-in-law Yang Caiju [Chinese: 杨彩菊] left early the morning and come back late the evening (they have a grocery in the center of the town), she's alone in the house.

Since October 2016, Bi was reported to be the oldest living person in Taizhou. She was able to sew without glassing, making her neighbours admirative. One time, her mosquito net was bitten by a mouse, who made holes, but she resewed it. She led a regular life, waking up at 6 a.m. and going to bed at 7 p.m.

In October 2019, Bi was reported to have still good eyesight, and to still can sewing. She could cooking and washing herself alone. When asked for the secret of her longevity, she smiled and said: "There's no secret, eat when you want to eat, sleep when you want to sleep, simplicity is a benediction."

Bi's daughter-in-law said that she's a living person who likes chatting with people and going at theatre, but since the age of 105, she became calmer. When she had flexible hands and feet, she was able to cook and do her own laundry. Now, some of Bi's daughters-in-law relays to deliver her food, but she still can cook basic food herself. She isn't difficult, and her favourite meals are fish, noodles and tofu; she also eats some oranges (her favourite fruit) before and after the meals.

In October 2020, Bi was reported to be the oldest living person in Zhejiang Province; her predecessor, Jiang Suifeng (born July 1907), went to limbo. At the time, she was living with her third son and his wife in an old house, at the border of Laochangji Village.

On 11 February 2021, at the occasion of Cyber China Festival, Bi was visited by some employees of the restaurant Jiaojiang Yuhuazhai [Chinese: 椒江雨花斋], who offered her jiaozis and "shibitongs".

Bi Nu was last confirmed alive in Laochangji Village, Taozhu Town, Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China on 15 February 2021, at the age of at least 113 years, 130 days. In October 2021, she went to limbo, as Zhang Guixiang (born 1911) was reported to be the oldest living person in Taizhou.

Gallery[]

References[]

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