The oldest person in Romania, a woman from Cugir born in 1915 and ranked 124th worldwide among the longest-lived individuals, was celebrated on Monday on her 111th birthday.

The local administration said the city was marking 'a historic milestone and a rare longevity', noting that Noja Paladia had reached the venerable age of 111. Born on July 20, 1915, she is officially recognized as the oldest living person in Romania, making Cugir 'a national reference point for longevity'.

On her birthday, Noja Paladia was visited by mayor Adrian Teban and Diane Dobrean, director of the 'Valentin Uritescu' Cultural Center.

During the visit, the mayor presented her with a certificate of appreciation, flowers, and a symbolic sum of money 'as a sign of deep respect and public recognition from the entire local community for a life that has crossed, with exemplary dignity, a century and more than a decade'.



Paladia offered the mayor a warm message of hope: 'God willing, we'll see each other again next year!'

Her case has also received international recognition. On April 16, 2026, the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) officially validated her status as a supercentenarian after demographic verification, placing her 124th in the world among the longest-lived people.

She is additionally the oldest person in the Balkans and the oldest woman ever documented in Romania, becoming the country's first officially recognized female supercentenarian.

With her 111th birthday, Paladia is approaching the record for the longest-lived person in Romania's documented history. The current national record belongs to Ilie Ciocan, a World War II veteran who died on May 27, 2026, at the age of 112 years and 351 days.

Paladia lives in her own home with her 76-year-old daughter, who cares for her, supported by the extended family. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marinela Brumar; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)

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