Guess Their Age Someone who has not read this chapter would be surprised to learn that Bessie Cooper (left) was 114 and Jiroemon Kimura (right) was 112 when these photos were taken. The pictures are not the most current, however: She was the oldest woman alive until her death at age 116 in 2012, and he turned 115 the same year—the oldest man to have lived so long. Some of the reasons for longevity are visible: genes (note their smooth skin), caregivers (note her carefully coiffed hair and his pristine white shirt), technology (glasses and hearing aid), and attitude (proud smiles). Not visible is their independence (she lived alone on a Georgia farm from ages 67 to 105) or many descendants (over 60 for Jiroemon, including that infant great-great-grandchild on the right).