Morrie Markoff, a blogger and sculptor who was believed to be the oldest man in the United States, passed away at the age of 110 in his home in downtown Los Angeles. He was known for his remarkable lucidity even after living through 11 decades, maintaining a blog and creating scrap-metal sculptures. His brain has been donated for research on super-aging, making it the oldest cognitively healthy brain donated for this purpose.
Morrie Markoff was born in New York City in 1914, just six months before the start of World War I. He became a supercentenarian this year, joining a rare group of individuals who live to be 110 or older. The Gerontology Research Group in Los Angeles lists over 150 supercentenarians worldwide. After the passing of Francis Zouein in California earlier this year, Morrie Markoff was recognized as the oldest living man in the United States.
As of April, the oldest living man in the world is believed to be John Alfred Tinniswood from England, who is 111 years old according to Guinness World Records. Guinness also acknowledges María Branyas Morera, a 117-year-old woman living in Spain, as the oldest woman in the world.
When Morrie Markoff learned that he had become the oldest living man in the United States, he simply smiled and humbly remarked, “Well, someone’s got to be there.” His daughter shared this sentiment in an interview, highlighting his modesty and positive outlook on life.
Morrie Markoff’s legacy as a supercentenarian who remained mentally sharp and active until his passing serves as an inspiration to many. His contributions to research on super-aging through the donation of his brain will continue to benefit scientific understanding in this field. As we remember Morrie Markoff, we honor his life, his achievements, and the wisdom he shared with the world. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations to live life to the fullest and embrace the opportunities that come with aging gracefully.