This 122-Year-Old Smoked Tobacco Until 117 and Ate 2 Pounds of Chocolate Every Week

A French lady died at the age of 122, although she was a chain smoker. Long lives tended to run in her family.

Her mother and father also lived quite a long. Not only do positive feelings and a Mediterranean diet promote longevity. 

The example of a small French woman who smoked and survived for 122.5 years serves as proof. 

February 1875 marked Jeanne Louise Calment's birth, and she passed away in August 1997. 

This vibrant woman was just 4'11" (150 cm) tall and weighed only 99 pounds (45 kg). 

She was, however, a tough cookie. Calment bragged of never having been ill her entire life.

In Arles, Provence, Jeanne was born into a wealthy family. Her mother came from a miller family, while her father built ships. Longevity ran in her family. 

At 86, her mother passed away, followed by her father at 93 and her brother at 97.

Calment had a reasonably simple childhood. When she was eight, she would only consume coffee with milk or hot chocolate for breakfast.

Her father would pick her up from school at noon, take the family out to lunch, and then bring her back to the house for study time. 

Jeanne's formal education ended when she turned 16, so she used her free time to paint and play the piano.

She didn't even change her last name when she got married. She married her cousin Fernand Nicolas Calment at age 21, as wealthy people frequently did during the period. 

Their paternal grandmothers and grandfathers were sisters and brothers, respectively.

She was "too young to be interested in boys" when he allegedly began courting her when she was 15 years old.

Jeanne had a simple wedding. She and her husband lived above the family business, and everything was taken care of by servants.

She spent her day participating in upper-class French hobbies including fencing, cycling, swimming, tennis, roller skating, and jamming with friends.

But things weren't always pleasant in her life.

At the age of 23, Jeanne became a mother to a girl. Unfortunately, on the day of her 36th birthday, her daughter Yvonne passed away from tuberculosis, leaving behind a boy.

Frédéric, who resided in the neighboring apartment with his father, was looked after by Jeanne. Throughout the Second World War, she raised the boy.

She wasn't significantly impacted by World War II. She didn't mind German soldiers sleeping in her chambers as long as they didn't take anything from her. 

She lost her husband, who was just 73, during the War.

She had particular difficulty in the 1960s. Her brother passed away in 1962, and her son-in-law passed away in January 1963. Her grandson was 26 when he died in a car accident seven months later. 

At the age of 90, Jeanne was abandoned without any living relatives. She would undoubtedly die as well. Or so she thought.

She agreed to a life estate contract with notary public André-François Raffray in 1965 in order to protect her final days.

In accordance with the contract, she gave him the right to occupy her property in return for 2,500 francs ($460) per month in revenue. Of course, she lived longer than he did.

Raffray passed away in 1995. Up to that point, Jeanne had already received from him more than the property's double worth.

Up until her passing, his family kept up with all the obligations under the contract.

When she signed the life estate agreement at the age of 90, who would have imagined that she would live an additional 32 years?

Jeanne's public status rose in recognition of Van Gogh's move to Arles on its 100th anniversary.

When she first met the renowned painter in 1888–1889, she spoke to the press. She was 13 or 14 years old at the time.

The little girl was dissatisfied with the artist because she thought he was "ugly" and "reeked of alcohol." She had the view that one had to look after oneself, unlike Van Gogh.

Jeanne never consumed herbal tea or took any medications. 

Calment claimed that her only illness occurred when she was 20 years old and contracted conjunctivitis.

Despite having cataracts in both of her eyes, the girl's husband's wealth allowed her to avoid overworking herself.

This way of living was efficient.

Jeanne maintained her traditions until her passing. She has always used puff powder and olive oil to care for her skin.

She started smoking after she got married and didn't stop until she was 117 years old.

Calment continued to exercise until she injured her ankle at the age of 100.

Although she soon healed from her accident and was able to walk once more, this young woman's cycling days were finished.

She was independent until she was 110. Calment was moved to a nursing home after the winter caused frostbite to her hands since she never turned on the heating.

Calment asked the staff to wake her up at 6:45 every day since she valued getting up early. Every morning, Jeanne would begin by saying a lengthy prayer by the window.

She would thank God for allowing her to survive and be appreciative of the lovely day that had begun. 

She occasionally questioned why she was the lone survivor in her family and the cause of her longevity.

She became a local sensation as she surpassed everyone's expectations.

Beyond 120 Years with Jeanne Calment, a documentary film about her life was released in 1995.

Time's Mistress, a four-track CD featuring Jeanne's voice speaking over rap music, was published in 1996.

She died suddenly. Ironically, the 122-year-old woman's cause of death was unknown to medical professionals.

She reportedly had wonderful health up until a month before she passed away when she lost her hearing and vision.

In her nation, Jeanne Calment left a lasting impression. When asked what occurred in 1997, a Frenchman would likely mention the deaths of Princess Dianna, Mother Theresa, and Jeanne Louise Calment.