Your family tree: Long-living relatives
Besse Cooper is an American supercentenarian (a person more than 110 years old) and is the oldest living person today.
She is 115, and was born on August 26, 1896.
Can you imagine what changes Besse has witnessed in her lifetime? She has lived through 20 US presidents, world wars, global economic crises, men on the moon, space travel and universe-changing technological innovation.
What's her secret to longevity? She says it is minding her own business and not eating junk food! View a short video about Besse below.
We'd also like to hear from our readers about longevity. Who lived the longest in your family tree? Did your longest-lived relatives share their secrets for life? Let us know in the comments.

June 21st, 2012 - 23:47
June 23rd, 2012 - 09:56
June 23rd, 2012 - 11:44
Things have changes so much since she was a child, it's unbelievable. No airplanes, radio, antiobotics just to name a few.
June 23rd, 2012 - 17:26
untill 1751. Best wishes from Anne Grethe Larsen, Frederikshavn.
Pædagog I am.
June 26th, 2012 - 18:35
June 26th, 2012 - 18:36
August 28th, 2012 - 20:17