Minerva Bedford

Minerva Bedford (September 13, 1886 – November 4, 1998) was an American verified supercentenarian. She was born in Kentucky and remained there throughout her whole life. She never married. Bedford worked as a teacher at schools in Paris, Bourbon County. She retired in 1958 at the age of 72.

By 1998, she had lost both her legs due to an illness. Her daily routines as a 112-year old included taking a bath, reading books and watching wrestling on television. Her favourite wrestler was Hulk Hogan. At the time of her birthday in 1998, it was revealed that she her health had worsened in recent months.

Her secrets to longevity was having faith in God, staying unmarried and eating lots of onions and garlic. Bedford died on November 4, 1998, at the final age of 112 years, 52 days.