The Horn News

Proudly American, Fiercely Independent

Get in the loop!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Privacy Policy

One moment, please:

Processing your submission

  • Home
  • Politics
  • National News
  • Money
  • International
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • America Unleashed

The oldest woman in America is HOW OLD!?

July 22, 2016 By: Stephen Dietrich

  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • Post

A 113-year-old New Jersey woman is the new holder of the title of oldest American.

Adele Dunlap became the country’s oldest person earlier this month following the death of Goldie Michelson, of Worcester, Massachusetts, The Record newspaper reported.

She also is the 10th oldest person in the world, according to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which tracks supercentenarians, people 110 or older.

Dunlap lives at the Country Arch Care Center in Pittstown, where she first arrived at age 99 ½. Asked how it feels to be the oldest American, she told the newspaper: “I don’t feel any different.” Asked what it means to be an American, she said: “Well, I’ve never been anything else.”

Dunlap taught school before marrying and settling down to raise the couple’s three children. Her husband worked for an insurance company and died in 1963.

She doesn’t give an explanation for her longevity, and her 86-year-old son, Earl, is also at a loss to credit any particular thing for his mother’s long life.

“It’s hard to say,” Earl Dunlap said. “She never went out jogging or anything like that. She’s not really thin, but she never weighed more than 140 pounds. She smoked, and when my father had his first heart attack, they both stopped. I think she ate anything she wanted.”

Despite the fact she was born Dec. 12, 1902, in Newark, she often gives a younger age when asked how old she is.

“Last year, when we were telling her it was her 113th birthday, she said, ‘No, no, no, I’m only 102,'” recalled Susan Dempster, the care center’s activities director.

Dempster said Dunlap is a passive participant in daily activities and socializes minimally, but looks forward to Girl Scouts’ coming to sing Christmas carols.

The Associated Press contributed to this article. 

About the Author

Stephen Dietrich

Stephen is a U.S. Army veteran with over a decade of combined experience in political commentary, economics, and news.

Comments

  1. Justin W says

    July 22, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    Sometimes people do everything right and die young. Others smoke, eat whatever they want and fail to exercise but they live to an old age.

GAM slot1

POPULAR

  • Cheers! Raucous soccer fans drank all of Boston’s beer during World Cup
  • Legendary “Robin Hood” tree dies after 1,200 years
  • 22-hour, non-stop flight!? This airline is making it happen
  • Gilgo Beach serial killer confession stuns victim’s families
  • Archaeologists discover another Stonehenge in rural England?
  • Mega pop star gets 5-year restraining order against alleged stalker
  • Luigi Mangione changes his defense to WHAT!?
  • Boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather earns his nickname in bizarre Vegas arrest

GAM slot2

GAM slot3

GAM slot4

  • Sign Up Now
  • About Us
  • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Advertise
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Join FREE

Copyright © 2026 | NewMarket Health Publishing, LLC