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Wang Yuling

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Wang Yuling
Wang Yuling
Wang Yuling in February 2010, aged 107.
Birth: 5 November 1902
Weifang, Shandong, Qing dynasty (China)
Death: 6 March 2014
Qingdao, Shandong, China
Age: 111 years, 121 days
Country: ChinaCHN
Unvalidated

Wang Yuling [Chinese: 王玉玲] (5 November 1902 – 6 March 2014) was a Chinese supercentenarian whose age is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography[]

Childhood and Studies[]

Wang Yuling claimed to have been born on 5 November (6 October by lunar calendar) 1902 in Gaojiazhuangzi Village, Changle County, Weifang, Shandong, Qing dynasty (China). A devout christian, she was born in a very poor family.

Although she can't recall the Qing dynasty, Wang can remember her village. "There were more than a hundred households in the village. There were landowners who lived at the west of the village. The landowners had hundreds of hectares of land. My second grandfather too. But there still were many poor people, and there weren't much food for a year." She said that the landowners' houses were in bricks, while the farmers' houses were in rammed earth.

Wang went to school since age 12, during six years, because it became free; she was one of the three children of her village who went to school. Then, she went to a nurse school managed by the local church.

After she had her diplom, Wang worked in a missionary hospital in Weifang (then Wei County), Shandong. She was one of the first nurses of Republic of China. She rode a donkey (as each household had a donkey, at the time), and the trip last one day from her house. She also saw the train for the first time, as she must cross a railway to go to the hospital. Wang said: "At the time, they all were wood wagons with two handles. Only few knew trains."

According to her daughter-in-law, Wang has an university degree, and a school leaving certificate.

Adult Life[]

Wang met her husband, a pastor, at work. They had six children, including Zheng Shumin [Chinese: 郑淑民] (the oldest daughter, aged 80 in 2014), Zheng Shiguang [Chinese: 郑世光], who himself became a pastor, Zheng Huimin [Chinese: 郑惠民] (her third son), and Zheng Limin [Chinese: 鄭利民] (her youngest child, aged 70 in 2014).

Wang's family moved to Qingdao some time before the Second Sino-Japanese War. The family was very poor; she was a housewife, while her husband had a very low wage. They also picked up stones, used to built roads, and carved it to sell it.

Wang must wash clothes, cook food, and sew while sewing machines didn't exist. She was unwilling to drink and to eat to left her children do so. "One time, someone gave her some mouldy steamed rolls, and she heated it to make sauce. She wouldn't eat it herself, and gave it to her children after cooking", said her daughter Zheng Shumin.

During the Japanese occupation in Qingdao, Japanese soldiers forced people to eat acorn noodles [Japanese: どんぐり麺]. However, Wang always managed to cook better for her children, while she was eating these noodles, which are bitter and difficult to eat.

Wang's children went to school for free, as their father was a pastor. They also learnt music. "We wouldn't have a so beautiful life if our mother hadn't saved money and insisted to let us studying", said Zheng Shumin.

Later Life[]

Longevity runs in Wang's family ; her ancestors had a long life, and her husband died at age 91.

In her 70s and 80s, Wang went to bed at 8 p.m. and woke up at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. However, since she moved in her new house in the 90s, she slept when she wanted during the day, and was energic the night, as she could play with her family late in the evening.

On her 106th birthday in 2008, Wang was reported to be in good health, aside of hearing losses. She was able to walk, to take care of herself, to play cards and chess, and to read newspapers. Her mind was very sharp.

In February 2010, Wang was visited by pastor Dong Yankui [Chinese: 董延奎] of Longshan Road christian church. She was still in good shape, but sometimes had dizzinesses.

In October 2011, Wang was reported to be the oldest living person in Qingdao. Because of her bad hearing, she communicated by writing on a paper, because she still had good eyesight. She said to journalists : "I like reading newspapers and watching television, but my ears doesn't function well." She was able to clear puzzles quickly. However, she was reported to mostly sit on her bed, as she couldn't walk during a too long time.

Wang's daughter offered her carnations for the Mother's Day in May 2012. As of October 2012, Wang's eyesight deteriorated, since she was then only able to read the headlines of newspapers, but she still cared of finances (like deposits).

On 25 February 2014, Wang slept during one entire day, and stopped eating. She hadn't any major health problem before her death.

Wang Yuling died in Liaoyuan Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, Shandong, China on 6 March 2014 at 7 p.m., at the age of 111 years, 121 days. Following her death, 111-year-old Wang Dehua (born 1 January 1903) was reported as the oldest living person in Qingdao.

Gallery[]

References[]

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