A 117-year-old woman from Albania, Ćamile Mara, could be in line to become the world’s oldest living person after claims emerged that she was born two days before the current record holder.
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According to the information shared, Ćamile was born on August 19, 1909, while current title holder Ethel Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, meaning Mara could be older by two days if her records are successfully verified.
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Ethel Caterham became the world’s oldest verified living person following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas on April 30, 2025.
The British woman became the first person from Britain to reach the age of 117 and is currently recognised as the last validated person born before 1910.
However, Guinness World Records will need to examine Mara’s documents before any change can be made to the title. Until then, Ethel Caterham remains the officially recognised world’s oldest living person.
The discovery was reportedly made by TV journalist Blendi Fevziu, who said he plans to examine Mara’s baptism certificate and identity documents.
If the documents support her claimed date of birth, Fevziu plans to submit the evidence to Guinness World Records for verification.
He said: “The world’s oldest person lives in Albania.
“She was born 117 years and 39 days ago.”
Mara’s family has also spoken about the difficulties they have faced in proving her age. According to her relatives, officials once temporarily withheld her pension in 2023 while checks were carried out over her age.
Her son was required to present a formal proof-of-life certificate to authorities in Berat before the matter was resolved.
The Social Security Institute later explained that the delay was part of routine checks carried out on pensioners aged over 100, and her payment was eventually issued.
Despite receiving the pension, Mara’s son said the money is still not enough to cover her medical treatment and basic needs.
He also revealed that he cannot afford to provide additional financial support, while her other children have reportedly left the country.
If Mara’s birth records are successfully verified, her case could lead to a major change in the race for the title of the world’s oldest living person.
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