Chechen woman, 120, becomes Russia’s oldest living person
Regional branch of the Social Fund said Khashagova, born in 1905 in the village of Alkhazurova in Urus-Martan district, celebrated her 120th birthday this year
MOSCOW (MNTV) — As Russia mourned the death of Klavdiya Gadyuchkina, previously believed to be the country’s oldest resident, officials in Chechnya announced that the true senior-most citizen is 120-year-old Yakha Khashagova.
The regional branch of the Social Fund said Khashagova, born in 1905 in the village of Alkhazurova in Urus-Martan district, celebrated her 120th birthday this year. LongeviQuest had ranked Gadyuchkina among the world’s top five oldest people, but Khashagova’s verified passport shows a birthdate of Sept. 10, 1905.
Khashagova has lived through the final years of Tsar Nicholas II, the Russian Revolution, two world wars, and the space age. Officials say she retains a sharp memory and often recounts her childhood, family history, and major historical events.
She raised six children and spent most of her life in the Rostov region before returning to Chechnya a decade ago to live with her youngest daughter, Malika. She worked as a livestock breeder and shepherd on state farms, retiring at age 82. She outlived her husband by 51 years; he died in 1974.
Her family spans generations: she has 20 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren. Longevity runs in her family — her mother lived to 116.
In remarks shared by the Social Fund, Khashagova urged younger generations to value today’s stability and comfort: “Take care of this, respect the work of those who created such conditions for you, and try to preserve and increase all the best for future generations.”
According to LongeviQuest, the world’s oldest verified living person is 116-year-old Ethel Caterham of England. If Khashagova’s family submits documentation for international verification, she could be recognized as not only Russia’s oldest resident but potentially the oldest person on Earth.
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