America’s oldest person is another year older

America's oldest person is celebrating a milestone birthday.

Naomi Whitehead, the oldest living person in the country and the second-oldest person globally, celebrated her 116th birthday on Sept. 27 in Greenville, Pennsylvania according to LongeviQuest, a supercentenarian research organization that keeps track of the world’s oldest people. Whitehead became the oldest living person in the country at the age of 114 years and 26 days on Oct. 22, 2024, following the death of Elizabeth Francis at 115.

On Feb. 10, she became the second-oldest living person behind only Ethel Caterham (United Kingdom), following the death of France's Marie-Rose Tessier.

Whitehead’s 116th birthday was marked by a large celebration that also served as a family reunion, with relatives from across the U.S. in attendance, LongeviQuest said. About 80 to 90 people, including several of the supercentenarian's great-great-great-grandchildren, attended the party organized by two of her grandchildren, who reside locally. Pennsylvania state Sen. Michele Brooks also attended the celebration and presented Whitehead a proclamation in her honor.

During the celebrations, Whitehead mingled with guests and took photos before posing for a big group photo with everyone in attendance. While Whitehead herself was dressed in a sparkling blue outfit for her milestone birthday…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/