The World's Oldest Person, Misao Okawa, Celebrates Her 117th Birthday With Family In Japan

The World's Oldest Person Celebrates Her 117th Birthday

Misao Okawa is not your average centenarian. In fact, this lovely lady just so happens to be the world's oldest woman.

Okawa, who was born on 5 March 1898, will soon turn 117 years old. And in doing so, will become the third person to ever reach that age.

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The resident of Osaka in Japan decided to celebrate her birthday with family members on 4 March.

Funnily enough, Japan happens to be home to the most centenarians in the world (there must be something in the water).

Speaking at her birthday party, Okawa said that 117 years didn't seem like a very long time at all.

Okawa was born the daughter of a kimono maker and later married her husband Yukio Okawa in 1919. Sadly, he died in 1931 leaving her widowed for 84 years.

The couple had three children together and Okawa now has a grand total of four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

She lives in a nursing home in Osaka and - despite a bit of trouble with her hearing and slower movements in recent times - she's in good health.

Happy Birthday Misao!

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The World's Oldest Runner
Ninty three-year-old Fauja Singh (R), th(01 of11)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Ninty three-year-old Fauja Singh (R), the oldest runner in this year's Flora London marathon, runs over the Millennium Bridge in London with David Bedford, the Flora London Marathon race director, 01 April 2004, after receiving an award in recognition of his outstanding running achievements and also marking his 93rd birthday. Fauja has earned thousands of pounds for BLISS, the premature baby charity. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ninty three-year-old Fauja Singh (R), th(02 of11)
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Ninty three-year-old Fauja Singh (R), the oldest runner in this year's Flora London marathon, recieves an award in recognition of his outstanding running achievements and also marking his 93rd birthday from David Bedford, the Flora London Marathon race director, 01 April 2004, at Marasthon House in London. Fauja has earned thousands of pounds for BLISS, the premature baby charity. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
World's oldest marathon runner, 94 year(03 of11)
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LAHORE, PAKISTAN: World's oldest marathon runner, 94 year old Fauja Singh (C) gestures before the start of a short version of 6 kilometers International Marathon in Lahore, 30 January 2005. Singh born in Indian Punjab and now residing in London, has the unique distinction of taking part in record six full marathons in London, besides competing in similar events in other parts of the world. AFP PHOTO/Arif ALI (Photo credit should read ARIF ALI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
World's oldest marathon runner 94 year o(04 of11)
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LAHORE, PAKISTAN: World's oldest marathon runner 94 year old Fauja Singh (C) runs at the start of the short version of 6 kilometers International Marathon in Lahore, 30 January 2005. Singh who was born in Indian Punjab and now resides in London, has the unique distinction of taking part in record six full marathons in London, besides competing in similar events in other parts of the world. AFP PHOTO/Arif ALI (Photo credit should read ARIF ALI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The World's Oldest Marathon Runner Fauja Singh Prepares Ahead Of The Edinburgh Marathon(05 of11)
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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Centenarian Sikh runner Fauja Singh poses for pictures after being the first person to officially enter for next year's Edinburgh Marathon on September 1, 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland. A world record holder, aged 100, Fajua Singh has run seven marathons, all after his 89th birthday. He officially opened the entry process by signing up for his last ever 26 mile event in Edinburgh. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Fauja Singh(06 of11)
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Centenarian Fauja Singh smiles on the track in Toronto, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. One-hundred-year-old Singh, originally from India now living in London, England, is competing in Toronto's Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
Fauja Singh(07 of11)
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Centenarian Fauja Singh crosses the finish line in a 100 meter race for centenarians in Toronto, Thursday Oct. 13, 2011. One-hundred-year-old Singh, originally from India now living in London, England, is competing in Toronto's Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
Fauja Singh(08 of11)
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Centenarian Fauja Singh, foreground, warms up with fellow runners before a series of races in Toronto Thursday Oct. 13, 2011. One-hundred-year-old Singh, originally from India now living in London, England, is competing in Toronto's Waterfront Marathon on Sunday. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Chris Young) (credit:AP)
Fauja Singh(09 of11)
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One-hundred-and-one-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh, center of London, England, runs in the 5-km race during the Surrey International World Music Marathon in Surrey, British Columbia in Canada on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012. Singh is considered the oldest marathon runner in the world. (AP Photo/Darryl Dyck) (credit:AP)
Fauja Singh(10 of11)
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One-hundred-and-one-year-old marathoner Fauja Singh, of London, England, raises his arms to supporters before running in the 5-km race during the Surrey International World Music Marathon in Surrey, B.C., in Canada, on Sunday Sept. 30, 2012. Singh is considered the oldest marathon runner in the world. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck) (credit:AP)
MARATHON-IND(11 of11)
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Centurian marathon runner Fauja Singh (C) takes part in the Mumbai Marathon on January 20, 2013. Thousands of people turned out on a cool morning to take part in the annual race in the Indian city. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)