Gertrud Henze

Gertrud Henze (8 December 1901 – 22 April 2014) was a German supercentenarian who had been the oldest living person in Germany from the death of Elisabeth Schneider on 9 February 2013 until her death on 22 April 2014. The former librarian was born on Rügen and never got married or gave birth to a child. She was still in good condition and lived in a retirement home in Göttingen since 1993 where she was well-liked by many residents for her open and life-affirming attitude. Henze traced her longevity to reading a lot, having lively contact with other people, enjoying sometimes a cigarette and a glass of wine and never marry. She celebrated her 112th birthday only with some friends and relatives because the public interest in consequence of her birthday the year before was too exhausting. She enjoyed reading, even with the help of a magnifying glass. Nevertheless of physical limitations Henze was able to walk with the help of a walking frame to meet acquaintances and friends for having a chat. Henze died on 22 April 2014 at the age of 112 years and 135 days. She bequeath her body for genetic research to science