Sister André, a 118-year-old nun from Toulon, became the probable dean of humanity on Monday after the death of the Japanese Kane Taneka, at 119 years old.
In his Ehpad, we are preparing to manage an influx of letters and more or less eccentric requests, already topical.
She is now the oldest woman in the world.
At the age of 118, after the death of the Japanese Kane Taneka, aged 119, Sister André became this Monday the new probable dean of humanity.
A very special status which generates unprecedented media coverage, which the Sainte-Catherine Labouré nursing home in Toulon, where she has been a resident for several years, is preparing to manage.
His communications officer, David Tavella, tells
20 Minutes
how he intends to approach the sequel, between fascination and the desire to protect the old lady.
How is Sister André doing?
Since her birthday, she has regained the hair of the beast.
It must be said that it always falls in the heart of winter… And now, overnight, she finds herself the dean of humanity.
But it doesn't change anything for her.
The first thought she had when she heard about it was for others.
She was very proud, very happy for her family and the nursing home staff.
She was delighted that it would shine a spotlight on the establishment.
It's no wonder: she always gave everything to others.
For her, love is not an empty word.
Do you think this is his secret to longevity?
I believe that his secret of longevity is to have worked until the age of 108 in a retirement home.
And he is also a determined person.
She knows what she wants.
Moreover, when she was told that Jeanne Calment lived to be 122 years old, she replied: “It is within my reach”.
You explained to us that you already received a lot of letters before she became the dean of humanity.
How are you going to organize yourself?
For the moment, there are no repercussions, but it should not be long.
But, you know, I'm starting to get used to it!
(
laughs
).
We adapt.
She actually receives a lot of gifts, and mail from all over the world: United States, Latin America, Greece, Italy, Canada… As she is blind, I read her letters to her.
As a joke, I say that thanks to her, I have my livelihood.
I'm kind of his impresario.
Sometimes I get strange requests.
They ask me for a lock of hair, as if we had in their DNA the secret of their longevity!
She replies that if she had a secret, she would have made a fortune long ago.
She sometimes wonders why so many people write to her.
It's a phenomenon.
At least, we come to see her as a phenomenon, but she doesn't want to become a phenomenon.
Has it become the star of your establishment?
We look at it with a certain difference, but we take care of them like the others.
She does not have a special treatment as Sister André.
I don't think she would want it.
All her life, she took care of others.
She would like us to continue to take care of others.
And then, paradoxically, she's not the weakest here!
(
laughs
)
Company
The French sister André becomes the (probable) dean of Humanity
Company
Dean of Europe: Who is Sister André, the probable new dean of humanity?
Old age
Senior
Toulon
Paca
Company