Maria de Jesus

Europe's oldest person celebrates 115th birthday

Maria De JesusLisbon - Portuguese woman Maria de Jesus, Europe's oldest person and the world's second oldest, celebrated her 115th birthday on Wednesday, the daily Diario de Noticias reported.

"We are not planning a special celebration, because my mother has become a bit apathetic in relation to her surroundings," said Maria de Jesus' 84-year-old daughter Maria Madalena, who looks after her in the central Portugal village of Corujo.

Maria de Jesus, who worked in agriculture for seven decades, has always eaten "what the earth offers," Maria Madalena said when asked to explain the reasons for her mother's longevity.