On December 12, the world mourned the historic loss of Japanese native Fusa Tatsumi, who was 116 years old when she died. Shortly before passing, Tatsumi had been able to enjoy her most favorite meal: bean-paste jelly.
Tatsumi’s death is a significant event both in Japan and the world at large; she was the oldest mother in Japan and had lived to be the second-oldest woman in the present day. Her family continues to share her story and honor her remarkable, long life.
Tatsumi was born on April 25, 1907. When she was 32, she married a local farmer named Ryutaro. Together, they had three children, the oldest of whom is 76-year-old Kanji, who, along with the rest of the family, believes Tatsumi’s life of dedicated hard work helped her live so long. For 20 years, she contributed to the success of the farm, carrying baskets teaming with harvested fruit on her back up and down the long slope of the family orchard.
This helped her stay in good shape later in life; indeed, the only time she’d had any kind of health struggle was when she fell and broke her femur while in her 70s. Otherwise, Tatsumi had never been very sick or injured.
During the last years of her life, Tatsumi lived at a care facility in Kashiwara, Osaka. There, she supported the staff just as much as they helped her, engaging in sharp conversation and showing off the makeup skills she still had at the age of 110.
As far as other living choices, Tatsumi ate just a little bit of meat and otherwise ate three meals consisting of fish and vegetables. She was very conscientious of staying sufficiently hydrated. In fact, she aimed to drink a liter of water every day and still kept a cup of water at her bedside whenever her thirst needed quenching. Her family also highlighted the importance of an attentive care team in making sure Tatsumi lived her best, longest life.
“I think she did great to get to this age,” marveled Kanji. “I can only be grateful that she survived with the help of generous nursing care.”
Rest in peace, Fusa Tatsumi.
Although it's been three years since the tragic death of Rolling Stone drummer Charlie Watts…
Terminator star and former Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a proud father of five…
Roseanne Barr made heads turn at the premiere of a new series, Mr. Birchum, following…
The family of Beach Boys' co-founder, Brian Wilson, is taking proactive steps to care for…
Monty Python’s Eric Idle and John Cleese have hardly gotten along for years, with both…
Katherine Schwarzenegger has strong feelings about the Met Gala, the highly exclusive fashion event held…