| Maria Oliva | |
 Oliva at the age of 110 | |
| Birth: | 16 April 1909 Piazza Armerina, Enna, Sicily, Italy |
| Death: | 27 August 2021 Armerina, Enna, Sicily, Italy |
| Age: | 112 years, 133 days |
| Country: |  ITA
|
| Validated | |
Maria Oliva (16 April 1909 – 27 August 2021), known as "Grandma Marietta" was an Italian supercentenarian whose age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) in 2022. She was the oldest living person in Italy from the death of Erminia Bianchini until her own.
Biography[]
Maria Oliva was born in Piazza Armerina, Enna, Sicily, Italy on 16 April 1909. She had seven siblings: the last surviving, Lucia, died in March 2021 at the age of 99 in Torino. She survived the Spanish flu in 1918.
Oliva married in 1927, and moved in Monte neighborhood. She had eight children (three are dead as of 2021), who gave her 58 grandchildren and great-grandchildren (as of 2021). Her husband died in 1975. The secret of her longevity is an healthy alimentation, with the countryside's vegetables, that she picked up until she couldn't.
Oliva was a fervent believer. In September 2018, aged 109, she met Pope Francis during his visit in Piazza Armerina. In the front row, she was determined to meet him, and the Pope shaked her hand. It was the last time she left her house.
Aged 111, Oliva became the oldest living person in Italy following the death of Erminia Bianchini on 23 June 2020. Oliva was reported to be lucid, and can remember things well; however, she was bedridden. On 14 April 2021, she was visited by Nino Cammarata, the mayor of Piazza Armerina, who gave her flowers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oliva celebrated her 112th birthday in restricted committee, with her daughter Nunzia and some of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, her family being waiting the doctor's mind.
Oliva died in Piazza Armerina, Enna, Sicily, Italy on 27 August 2021 at the age of 112 years, 133 days. Following her death, Ida Zoccarato became the oldest living person in Italy.
Gallery[]
References[]
- Compie 105 anni la cittadina più longeva di Piazza Armerina Agostino Sella, 17 April 2014
- Nonna Maria Oliva spegne le 106 candeline Nobile Quartiere Monte Mira, 19 April 2015
- La nonna del Monte, Maria Oliva festeggia 108 anni Nobile Quartiere Monte Mira, 18 April 2017
- Lei è la signora Maria Oliva di Piazza Armerina (Sicilia), età 109 anni e 4 mesi! Supercentenari d'Italia on Facebook, 8 August 2018
- Nonna Maria Oliva spegne le 110 candeline Nobile Quartiere Monte Mira, 16 April 2019
- Dalla spagnola al coronavirus, a Piazza Armerina i 111 anni di nonna Marietta GdS, 17 April 2020
- The Super Grandma Of Italy Who Beats The Coronavirus At 111! Thinking Humanity, 18 April 2020
- In questi giorni intensi di emergenza senza precedenti, la nostra concittadina Maria Oliva ha compiuto 111 anni Nino Cammarata Sindaco on Facebook, 18 April 2020
- A Piazza Armerina la “nonna d'Italia” festeggia il traguardo dei 112 anni La Sicilia, 13 April 2021
- Festa per i 112 anni di nonna Marietta: è in Sicilia la donna più anziana d’Italia La Stampa, 15 April 2021
- PIAZZA ARMERINA- È MORTA LA PIAZZESE MARIA CATALANO, LA DONNA PIÙ LONGEVA D’ITALIA. AVEVA 112 ANNI Piazza In Diretta on Facebook, 27 August 2021