World oldest woman celebrates her birthday as she turns 118

Margaret Maritz, one of the world’s oldest women, is being celebrated today as she turns 118 years old.

Margaret, who hails from South Africa, marked the occasion at her home in Touws River, about 110 miles northeast of Cape Town. She was joined by her daughters, other residents, and carers for the celebration.

Although Margaret is incredibly old, she is not officially the world’s oldest person. That title currently belongs to a Japanese woman, Tomiko Itooka, who was born on May 23rd, 1908. Margaret, however, was born on September 27th, 1906.

Reflecting on her life, a senior nurse at the home said Margaret often spoke about the importance of respecting one’s parents. A senior nurse at her house, Gregory Elroy Adams, shared that she never smoked or drank alcohol.

He said: “She talks about her life as a young woman, (saying) you must respect your mother and your father,

“She didn’t drink, she didn’t smoke.”

One of her daughters, Liza Daniels, 67, expressed her gratitude saying: “We must be grateful. I don’t know if I will ever reach that age, but for me, it’s a very, very big privilege to have a mother that reaches this age.”

See photos of her birthday below…….