Jeanne Calment was born on February 21, 1875 in Arles, France to Nicolas Calment and Marguerite Gilles. She grew up in a loving and supportive household and had a relatively uneventful childhood. At the age of 13, Jeanne had a chance encounter that would later become one of the most famous moments of her life. She met the renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh, who she described as 'Dirty, badly dressed, and disagreeable.'
As Jeanne entered adulthood, she married Fernand Nicolas Calment and the couple welcomed a daughter named Yvonne Marie Nicolle Calment in 1898. Jeanne lived a life of relative obscurity until she reached old age. It wasn't until she turned 110 that people began to take notice of her remarkable longevity.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Jeanne Calment's life was her longevity. She lived until the incredible age of 122, making her the oldest verified person in history at the time. Jeanne credited her long life to several factors, including a diet rich in olive oil, port wine, and chocolate. She would often consume about 1kg of chocolate per week and used olive oil generously on her food and skin.
Aside from her remarkable age, Jeanne Calment had several other notable achievements in her lifetime. She was a successful businesswoman who sold colored pencils to none other than Vincent Van Gogh himself. She was also known for her sharp wit and sense of humor, which endeared her to those who knew her.
As Jeanne entered her twilight years, she became somewhat of a celebrity in her own right. People from all over the world would visit her in Arles to hear her stories and seek her wisdom on living a long and happy life. Jeanne remained active and independent well into her old age, a testament to her strong will and positive outlook on life.
After Jeanne Calment's passing in 1997, her legacy lived on. She was remembered as a woman who defied the odds and lived life on her own terms. Her story continues to inspire people to this day and serves as a reminder that age is just a number.
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