Other names Sadie Height 4 ft 7 in (1.40 m) | Name Sarah Knauss Children Kathryn Sullivan | |
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Full Name Sarah DeRemer Clark Born September 24, 1880 ( 1880-09-24 ) Hollywood, Pennsylvania, United States Occupation Former manager, homemaker Title America's oldest person Spouse Abraham Knauss (m. 1901–1965) Parents Amelia Clark, Walter Clark | ||
Sarah DeRemer Knauss (née Clark; September 24, 1880 – December 30, 1999) was an American supercentenarian. Knauss is the oldest person ever from the United States, as well as the second-oldest fully documented person ever behind Jeanne Calment. She was recognised as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records from April 16, 1998, until her death.
Biography
Sarah DeRemer Clark was born on September 24, 1880 in Hollywood, Pennsylvania, a small coal mining village. She married Abraham Lincoln Knauss in 1901; he became a prominent Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Republican leader, and the recorder of deeds. She was a homemaker, and manager for an insurance agency.
At age 116, she was recognized as being the new United States national longevity record holder, then thought to have been held by Carrie C. White (reportedly 1874–1991). In 1998, she became the world's oldest person when 117-year-old Canadian Marie-Louise Meilleur of Quebec died. When her family members told her of her newfound fame, her response was a smile and "So what?"
Knauss lived through seven wars involving the U.S. (including both World Wars) and the administrations of 23 presidents (from Rutherford B. Hayes to Bill Clinton). At her death, she was one of seven living generations of her family. She died 33 hours before New Year 2000, which was sometimes reported as having just missed living into a third century, although the 21st century began on January 1, 2001.
She died in Allentown, Pennsylvania on December 30, 1999 at Phoebe Home (now known as Phoebe Allentown, a subsidiary of Phoebe-Devitt Homes, Inc.) which had been her residence for nine years. She credited not letting things upset her as being the 'secret' to her longevity.
Of her death, state senator Charlie Dent, who had attended her 115th birthday in 1995, said, "Mrs. Knauss was an extraordinary woman who pushed the outer limits of longevity. This is a sad occasion, but she certainly had an eventful life."