Misao Okawa facts for kids

Misao Okawa (大川 ミサヲ, Ōkawa Misao, sometimes romanized as Misawo Okawa, 5 March 1898 – 1 April 2015) was a Japanese woman who lived to be 117 years old. She was known as a supercentenarian, which is someone who lives past the age of 110. Misao Okawa became the oldest living person in the world on June 12, 2013. She held this title until she passed away on April 1, 2015. Before that, she was also the oldest living woman in the world starting from January 12, 2013. She was the oldest Japanese and Asian person ever recorded for a time. Later, Nabi Tajima surpassed her record in 2017.

About Misao Okawa's Life

Misao Okawa was born on March 5, 1898. Her birthplace was in a part of Osaka, Japan, called Tenma. In her later years, she lived in a nursing home in Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Osaka.

She got married to a man named Yukio in 1919. They had three children together. At the time of her death, two of her children were still alive. Misao Okawa also had four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. This shows she had a very large family!

Her Long Life and Records

Misao Okawa lived for a very long time. Just a few days before her 115th birthday, on February 27, 2013, she received a special honor. Guinness World Records officially recognized her as the oldest living woman on Earth. She was given a certificate at her nursing home in Osaka to celebrate this amazing achievement.

Misao Okawa held the title of the oldest recognized living person from June 12, 2013, until April 1, 2015. She took over this title from another Japanese person, Jiroemon Kimura, who was 116 years old. After Misao Okawa passed away, Gertrude Weaver became the oldest living person.

Images for kids

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  Chiyono Hasegawa (1896–2011) was another Japanese woman who lived past 110 years. She was the oldest person in Japan at one point. She is shown here in September 2010. She lived to be 115 years and 12 days old.

See also

In Spanish: Misao Okawa para niños