Jeanne Calment’s record is still intact, though Kane Tanaka gave it a good ride.
On April 19, Tanaka died at the age of 119. She was the world’s oldest person.
But Tanaka fell short of Calment’s record of 122 years, making her the only person verified to have eclipsed the age of 120. Calment lived from 1875 to 1997.
The key to her longevity? She said, “I quit smoking when I turned 117.”
Jeanne also maintained a routine of morning prayer, beginning at 6:45 a.m. each day.
That’s not a bad recipe for life – quit your addiction and keep on praying.
The Bible says it like this: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Recovery Step: I can’t promise you that if you (a) quit your addiction, and (b) pray each morning, you will live to be 122. But I can promise you that however long you do live, it will be better.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
