| Maria Laqua | |
 | |
| Birth: | 12 February 1889 Reydt-Odenkirchen, Prussia (Rhine Province) |
| Death: | 9 February 2002 Bad Honningen, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany |
| Age: | 112 years, 362 days |
| Country: |  GER
|
| Validated | |
Maria Laqua (née Otten; (12 February 1889 – 9 February 2002) was a German supercentenarian who was the oldest validated person ever to have been born and died in Germany until her age was surpassed by Josefine Ollmann on 8 November 2021.
Biography[]
Maria Laqua was born as Maria Otten in Reydt-Odenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on 12 February 1889. She was one of 13 children. She worked as housemaid, married Karl Laqua and gave birth to two children in the 1920s. Her husband Karl died in 1958. Their both sons fell in the Second World War.
Laqua became the Germany's oldest living person following the death of 110 year-old Wilhelm Schorner on 29 March 1999. Laqua lived for 35 years in a retirement home in Bad Honningen, Rhineland-Palatinate and died in her sleep, three days before her 113th birthday. She was only survived by a great-niece who attended her regularly. It was reported that Laqua was in need of care, bedridden and not accessible during her last years. Nevertheless there were also good days when Maria Laqua had a flash and spoke. During a visit of a bishop for example, she had spoken at once and told a lot. She enjoyed listening radio, drinking wine and eating ice cream.
Maria Laqua died in Bad Honningen, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany on 9 February 2002 at the age of 112 years, 362 days. She was succeeded as Germany’s oldest person by 112 year-old Rosalia Hasenkampf after holding the title of being Germany's oldest citizen for 2 years and 323 days.
References[]
- Die älteste Deutsche wird 112 RP online. 12 Februay 2001
- Älteste Frau Deutschlands gestorben Die Welt. 12 Februay 2002