The World’s Oldest Woman Ate the Same Meal Every Day — And Lived to 117

Emma Morano, born November 29, 1899, lived through two world wars, 90 Italian governments, the moon landing, and the rise of the internet. She passed away in 2017 at the remarkable age of 117, becoming the oldest verified woman in the world and one of only a dozen people in history to reach that age.

Morano credited her longevity to a simple yet unusual diet: three eggs a day — two raw in the morning and one cooked at lunch — plus chicken for dinner, a few biscuits, and a daily glass of herbal grappa. She began this regimen in the 1920s after a doctor advised it to treat anemia.

For more than 90 years, she followed this diet, rarely eating fruits or vegetables. According to her doctor, Dr. Carlo Bava, she lived on protein, fat, and grappa, defying modern health advice about cholesterol and heart disease. Despite high cholesterol, she never developed cardiovascular problems.

Genetics likely played a major role. Her mother lived to 91, and many of her siblings became centenarians. She was also the last known person born in the 1800s, suggesting a strong family predisposition to long life.

Morano believed independence was just as important as diet. She left an abusive marriage in 1938 and lived alone for nearly 80 years, valuing her freedom and emotional peace.

Her life defied typical longevity trends — no intense exercise, no special diets, no meditation — just a consistent routine, autonomy, and minimal processed foods.

While her raw-egg diet isn’t recommended today due to health risks, her story shows that longevity is deeply personal, shaped by both lifestyle and resilience.