| Maria Laqua | |
 | |
| Birth: | 12 February 1889 Reydt-Odenkirchen, Prussia (Rhine Province) |
| Death: | 9 February 2002 Bad Hönningen, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany |
| Age: | 112 years, 362 days |
| Country: |  GER
|
| Validated | |
Maria Laqua (12 February 1889 – 9 February 2002) was a German supercentenarian who is actually the oldest person ever to be born and die in Germany, having a life span of 112 years and 362 days.
Biography
Maria Laqua was born on 12 February 1889 in Reydt-Odenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, as one of 13 children. She worked as housemaid, married and gave birth to two children in the 1920s. Her husband Karl died in 1958. Their both sons fell in the Second World War.
Laqua became Germany's oldest living person following the death of 110 year-old Wilhelm Schorner on 29 March 1999. Laqua lived for 35 years in a retirement home in Bad Hönningen, Rhineland-Palatinate and died in her sleep, three days before her 113th birthday. She was only survived by a great-niece who attended her regularly. It was reported that Laqua was in need of care, bedridden and not accessible during her last years. Nevertheless there were also good days when Maria Laqua had a flash and spoke. During a visit of a bishop for example, she had spoken at once and told a lot. She enjoyed listening radio, drinking wine and eating ice cream.
Laqua was preceded in death by 112 year-old Rosalia Hasenkampf after holding the title of being Germany's oldest citizen for 2 years and 323 days.
References
- Die älteste Deutsche wird 112 RP online. 12 Februay 2001
- Älteste Frau Deutschlands gestorben Die Welt. 12 Februay 2002