| Merah Smith | |
 Smith on her 110th birthday in 2022 | |
| Birth: | 9 November 1912 Windsor Castle, Saint Mary, Jamaica |
| Age: | 113 years, 77 days |
| Country: |  JAM UK
|
| Validated | |
Merah Louise Smith (born 9 November 1912) is a Jamaican-born British supercentenarian whose age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest (LQ). She is currently the oldest known living person in London, the oldest known living Jamaican-born person, and the second-oldest known living person in the United Kingdom, behind Ethel Caterham.
Biography[]
Merah Smith was born in Saint Mary, Jamaica on 9 November 1912. She met her husband James in the 1930s and soon married him, but he died from stomach cancer in the 1950s. Despite the tragedy, she emigrated to the UK in 1963, having lived through both World War I and World War II in Jamaica. She took part in kickboxing until she was 103.
On 19 January 2021, at the age of 108, Smith got vaccinated against COVID-19, making her one of the oldest known people to get vaccinated against the disease.
In November 2022, Smith celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. At the time of her 110th birthday, she had three children, six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
In May 2023, along with the rapper Stormzy, Smith received the Freedom of the Borough Award from Croydon Council for her services to others while working in the National Health Service (NHS).
Smith became the oldest known living Jamaican-born person, following the death of Merle O'Hara on 4 November 2023.
Smith's age was verified by GRG-UK Correspondent Oliver Trim, and validated by the GRG on 12 December 2023.
Merah Smith currently lives in Kenley, Greater London, England, UK at the age of 113 years, 77 days.
Gallery[]
References[]
- GRG World Supercentenarian Rankings List Gerontology Research Group
- Merah Smith Gerontology Research Group
- The incredible 105-year-old Croydon woman who has only just given up kickboxing Croydon News, 8 November 2017
- Croydon's oldest resident, 108, receives her first vaccine MyLondon, 20 January 2021
- Gran, 109, carried on kickboxing until she was 103 - and only stopped on doctor's orders Mirror, 10 November 2021
- Gran’s secret to living to 110 is giving up kick-boxing at 103 Metro, 11 November 2022
- Merah Louise Smith receives Freedom of the Borough Award Croydon Council (YouTube), 18 May 2023
- Stormzy awarded Freedom of the Borough by Croydon together with 110-year-old community champion Your Croydon, 19 May 2023