<P> According to this criterion , the longest human lifespan is that of Jeanne Calment of France ( 1875 -- 1997 ) , who lived to the age of 122 years , 164 days . She met Vincent van Gogh when she was 12 or 13 . She received news media attention in 1985 , after turning 110 . Subsequent investigation found documentation for Calment 's age , beyond any reasonable question , in the records of her native city , Arles , France . More evidence of Calment 's lifespan has been produced than for any other supercentenarian ; her case serves as an archetype in the methodology for verifying the ages of the world 's oldest people . </P>
<P> According to this criterion , the longest human lifespan is that of Jeanne Calment of France ( 1875 -- 1997 ) , who lived to the age of 122 years , 164 days . She met Vincent van Gogh when she was 12 or 13 . She received news media attention in 1985 , after turning 110 . Subsequent investigation found documentation for Calment 's age , beyond any reasonable question , in the records of her native city , Arles , France . More evidence of Calment 's lifespan has been produced than for any other supercentenarian ; her case serves as an archetype in the methodology for verifying the ages of the world 's oldest people . </P>
who is the oldest person who has ever lived
who is the oldest person who has ever lived
Jeanne Calment
Jeanne Calment