Emma Martina Luigia Morano wasn’t just a woman — she was a living piece of history.
Born on November 29, 1899, in the final years of the 19th century, she lived through two world wars, 90 Italian governments, the invention of the airplane, the moon landing, and the rise of the internet.
She died in 2017 at the remarkable age of 117, making her the oldest verified woman in the world — one of only a dozen people in recorded history to reach that age.
And while genetics certainly played a role, Morano credited her longevity to a simple, consistent, and highly unusual diet — one that defied modern nutrition advice.
Spoiler: She ate three eggs a day — two of them raw.
A Diet That Defied Convention
For most of her life, Emma Morano followed a rigid, unchanging routine — especially when it came to food.
Her daily meals were shockingly simple:
- Two raw eggs in the morning
- One hard-boiled or scrambled egg at lunch
- Chicken for dinner
- A few biscuits
- A small glass of grappa — an Italian herbal liquor infused with sage, rue, and grapes
She said this routine began in the 1920s, after a doctor diagnosed her with anemia following the trauma of World War I and the loss of a child.
“Eat three eggs a day and don’t talk to anyone,” her doctor reportedly told her.
So she did.
And for over 90 years, she followed that advice — even when it went against everything we now know about cholesterol and heart health.
No Fruits. No Vegetables. Just Eggs and Grappa
In a world where longevity experts preach plant-based diets, leafy greens, and antioxidant-rich superfoods, Morano’s habits were a striking contradiction.
According to her longtime doctor, Dr. Carlo Bava, who cared for her for 27 years:
“She barely ate any fruits or vegetables. Her diet was eggs, chicken, and that special grappa.”
No salads.
No smoothies.
No kale.
Just protein, fat, and a daily shot of herbal spirits.
And yet — she lived longer than nearly every person in history.
Genetics: The Secret Ingredient?
While her diet was unusual, genetics likely played a major role in her longevity.
- Her mother lived to 91
- Most of her seven siblings became centenarians
- She was the last surviving person born in the 1800s
This suggests a strong family predisposition for long life — possibly with genes that protected her from heart disease, despite high cholesterol levels.
Dr. Bava noted that Morano had very high cholesterol — but never developed cardiovascular issues. Her body, it seemed, was uniquely equipped to handle her diet.
More Than Diet: The Power of Independence
Morano often said her long life wasn’t just about eggs — it was about freedom.
She was forced into marriage in 1926 by a man who threatened her family. The relationship was abusive, and her only child died at age six months.
In 1938, at age 39, she made a radical decision:
👉 She left her husband — and never saw him again.
Though they remained legally married until his death in 1978 (divorce wasn’t legal in Italy until 1970), she lived independently for 80 years.
“I didn’t want to be dominated by anyone,” she told The New York Times.
“I owed it to myself.”
Her fierce independence, solitude, and emotional resilience may have been just as vital to her longevity as her diet.
Lessons from the World’s Oldest Woman
Emma Morano’s life challenges everything we think we know about aging.
She didn’t exercise obsessively.
She didn’t meditate or juice.
She didn’t avoid alcohol or embrace modern wellness trends.
But she did:
- Stick to a simple, consistent routine
- Prioritize her mental peace and autonomy
- Follow a high-protein, low-carb diet that suited her body
- Drink a daily shot of herbal grappa — which may have provided antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits
Should You Eat Raw Eggs Like Emma?
⚠️ Not without caution.
Raw eggs carry a risk of Salmonella, especially for the elderly or immunocompromised. Today, doctors would not recommend this diet to most people.
However, Morano used fresh, farm-raised eggs from trusted sources — a key factor in her safety.
And her diet, while extreme, was low in processed foods, sugar, and refined carbs — which are far more damaging to long-term health.
Final Thoughts: Longevity Is Personal
Emma Morano’s story isn’t a blueprint — it’s a reminder that longevity isn’t one-size-fits-all.
For her, three eggs a day and a shot of grappa weren’t just habits — they were lifelines.
She lived by her own rules, survived immense hardship, and reached an age few ever have.
So while we can’t all eat raw eggs and expect to live to 117…
We can learn from her resilience, independence, and unwavering routine.
Because sometimes, the secret to a long life isn’t found in a lab.
It’s in sticking to what works — for you.
Rest in peace, Emma Morano — the woman who defied time, one egg at a time.
