What would you do to live past 117? Is it a matter of luck, diet, or strong character? The fascinating story of Emma Morano, an Italian woman born in 1899, may well hold some valuable clues… But beware, her secrets are far from what you might think!
An extraordinary destiny: women in three centuries
Emma Morano was not just an elderly woman, she was a true living witness to three different centuries! Born on November 29, 1899, in a still rural Italy, she witnessed two world wars, a hundred Italian governments, and technological revolutions that would have astounded even Jules Verne . In her large family of eight children, she was the last survivor, standing up to time with rare tenacity.
A diet to defy the centuries
When Emma was asked her secret, the answer was surprising: three eggs a day, two of which were raw for breakfast . This particular diet, which she adopted after being diagnosed with anemia at the end of the First World War, became her faithful companion throughout her life. Imagine: two raw eggs upon waking, an omelet for lunch, and a simple meal in the evening, often with chicken.
Over time, she adjusted her diet, eating only two eggs a day and a few cookies . She ate very few fruits or vegetables, which might seem surprising in today’s world, when colorful plates have become synonymous with health .
The little extra that spices up this routine? A drop of grappa infused with aromatic herbs like sage and rue , a very Italian tradition, reminiscent of the artisanal liqueurs served after a Sunday family meal.
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