World's New Oldest Person Reveals Surprising Secret To Her Long Life

World's New Oldest Person Reveals Surprising Key To Long Life

After the two oldest people in the world passed away within days of each other, 115-year-old Jeralean Talley of Inkster, Michigan is now the oldest documented person in the world, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The previous record-holder, Misao Okawa, passed away last Wednesday in Japan, American Gertrude Weaver held the top spot for just a few days before her own death on Monday. Okawa was 117 and Weaver was 116.

Talley will celebrate her 116th birthday on May 23. “I feel good,” Talley told TIME in an interview Monday. “I don’t feel sick. I’m still trying to do the right thing is all.”

The 115-year-old lives with her 77-year-old daughter in the Detroit area, with members of five generations of her family living nearby. Family friends say she's still mentally sharp and used to mow her lawn and go bowling until recent years. She now has trouble getting around but still enjoys annual fishing trips, usually around her birthday.

Her advice for a long life, well lived? "It's coming from above. That's the best advice I can give you," Talley told reporters Monday, according to The Detroit Free Press. "It's not in my hands or your hands."

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1. New York City

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