To avoid work misattribution, please see the Authorship section at the end of this article)
For many gerontologists, Jeanne Calment is almost what Joan of Arc is for the French. A symbol, a legend, a saint. The longevity record of
Jeanne of Arles, set at 122 years and 164 days, is known to every true aging fighter. Since Jeanne set it in 1997 nobody managed to break it or even get close â the second place barely exceeds 119 years, and the third stands at 117. Of those contenders who stand any chance â i.e. those who are presently alive â the oldest ones are just 115 years old. Given that after age 100 the annual probability of dying is about 1/2, the chances of a centenarian living to 122 are incredibly small.