Maria Eufrosyne Andersson (December 24, 1828?, Vyborg – August 24, 1946, Helsinki) is possibly the longest-lived Finn ever, dying at the claimed age of 117 years and 243 days, although her exact date of birth cannot be completely proven (yet), because many of the documents located in her birth town were destroyed during the Second World War.
Andersson started to work as a maid servant at an early age. Later in her life she earned her living by selling flowers. Andersson never married and had no children.
She moved to the Finnish capital, Helsinki, at the age of seven, living there for 110 years, if her reported age is accurate. Until her reported age is verified (if ever), Maria Rothovius (1887–2000, 112 years 259 days) remains the oldest Finn whose lifespan has been verified.
Famous quotes containing the word maria:
“Just as language has no longer anything in common with the thing it names, so the movements of most of the people who live in cities have lost their connexion with the earth; they hang, as it were, in the air, hover in all directions, and find no place where they can settle.”
—Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926)