Marguerite Hardy

Marguerite Hardy

Marguerite Hardy on her 110th birthday.

Unvalidated

Marguerite Hardy (born 14 March 1907) is a French supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). She is one of the top 25 oldest known people in France.

Biography

Marguerite Hardy was born on 14 March 1907 in Chevaigne-du-Maine, Pays de la Loire, France, as the fourth of seven children born to her parents. Her father worked as a clog maker, while her mother worked as a seamstress. She left school at the age of 12 to look after her younger siblings.

In August 1927, at the age of 20, Marguerite married Valentin Hardy and had three children with him, all of whom were still alive as of their mother’s 110th birthday: Suzanne (aged 88), Simone (aged 87) and Daniel (aged 82). Suzanne has lived in New Caledonia with her children since 2005.

Marguerite and Valentin operated a small farm until 1939, when they moved to another farm in Saint-Patrice. They lived there until Valentin died in 1961 after 34 years of marriage. In 1962, Marguerite left the farm and got a job in a clothing factory the following year. Nine years later, in 1972, Marguerite retired at the age of 65.

Until 2005, Marguerite lived in her own home. She lived with her son Daniel until January 2014, when she moved into a nursing home. She would watch the Tour de France on the television until 2013. In October 2015, aged 108, she became the oldest person in the department of Orne, Normandy, where she had been living for many years. At the age of 109, Marguerite broke her arm, but made a full recovery.

On her 110th birthday, Marguerite celebrated with her family and a drink. Along with her three children, she had six grandchildren (the oldest of whom, Viviane, was 61), 10 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren (the oldest of whom was 10 years old).

Marguerite Hardy currently lives in La Ferte-Mace, Orne, Normandy, France, at the age of 117 years, 36 days.

References

• La doyenne de l'Orne a fêté ses 110 ans Ouest France