FRANCE: FUNERAL OF WOMAN REPUTED TO BE WORLD'S OLDEST PERSON

(7 Aug 1997) French/Nat

The funeral of the woman reputed to be the world's oldest human being took place in Southern France on Wednesday.

Jeanne Calment was 122-years old, but despite being known the world over, her service was a quiet one restricted to family and close friends.

A large group of family and friends gathered in a cemetery outside Arles to pay their last respects to a remarkable woman on Wednesday.

Madame Calment had become something of a celebrity in France after she took over the record for the world's longest lived person in 1995.

And although she was blind, nearly deaf and in a wheelchair she remained spirited and mentally sharp until the end - even releasing her own rap record in 1996.

Born on February 2, 1875 she eventually became Arles' greatest attraction since the artist Vincent Van Gogh spent a year there in 1888.

She remembers meeting him, but recalled recently that he was an ugly, unpleasant man who smelled strongly of drink.

Calment attributed her great age to numerous things, including plenty of olive oil in her diet and regular glasses of port.

She continued to lead on active life well into her old age, taking up fencing at the age of 85 and continued to ride a bicycle until she was 100 years old.

She only gave up smoking at the age of 120 when she thought it was becoming a habit.

But whatever her secret she certainly gained the affection of those who knew her.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
Madame Calment was a grandmother to us all, she certainly was. It was amazing to have a woman like that round here. She was great, we were really proud. She was the pride of Arles, she really was."
SUPER CAPTION: Denis Flechon, Arles resident

The death of the venerable Frenchwoman has sparked a host of rival claims to her title.

Already two American nursing homes have laid claim to the title on behalf of their residents.

Calment had no direct descendants having outlived her husband, daughter and grandson.

She died of natural causes.

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