Yvonne Francier, Belgium’s oldest living woman, has died at the age of 112 in Corsica, France. The European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) confirmed her passing on Tuesday through Belgian correspondent Anthony Croes-Lacroix.
Born on 28 February 1913 in Anderlecht, a municipality of Brussels, Francier’s life stretched across two World Wars, multiple monarchs, and a century of dramatic social, political, and cultural change. At the time of her passing, she was 112 years and 186 days old.
Her extraordinary age places her among the select group of verified Belgian supercentenarians. With her death, she now shares the country’s longevity record with Joanna Turcksin, who also lived to 112 years and passed away on 6 December 2002.
Francier’s early life in Belgium reflected the challenges and resilience of the 20th century. Like many women of her generation, she married young and built a quiet family life.
However, her circumstances changed dramatically when she lost her husband in 1970. Following his death, Francier relocated to Corsica, where she lived the remainder of her long life.
Anthony Croes-Lacroix, who has spent years documenting cases of extreme longevity in Belgium, emphasized the significance of her lifespan. “Yvonne Francier’s life is a remarkable example of endurance and history preserved through a single person,” he said in a statement.
Belgium has long been home to some of Europe’s oldest verified individuals. The European Supercentenarian Organisation carefully validates ages using official records, ensuring that only accurately documented lifespans are recognized. Francier’s confirmation as a record-holder demonstrates the rigorous process of establishing such claims.
Although Francier lived her final decades far from her native country, she remained symbolically tied to Belgium through her place in the national record books.
Residents of Anderlecht have expressed pride in her achievements, remembering her as a daughter of the city who carried its name to international recognition.
Supercentenarians, individuals who live to the age of 110 or beyond, remain exceedingly rare. According to demographic research, only a few hundred people alive worldwide reach such advanced ages at any given time.
Francier’s longevity places her within this exclusive circle, one that continues to fascinate scientists seeking to understand the boundaries of human life.
Her passing also highlights the stories of women from her generation who often lived through upheaval, loss, and profound social transformation, yet displayed resilience in their personal journeys. Francier witnessed more than a century of European evolution, from the devastation of war to the progress of modern society.
With her death, Belgium reflects on a remarkable life that bridged generations. Yvonne Francier’s journey, beginning in Anderlecht and ending in Corsica, stands as both a personal legacy and a national milestone in longevity.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
