A life spanning 3 Ottoman sultans, 12 presidents: Türkiye’s oldest woman is 126

It was not until elections rolled around that Yeni Mahalle muhtar (village or neighborhood head) Celal Lafci noticed over a century old resident in his neighborhood. Ayse Bayri, standing strong at 126 years young in her home in northern Türkiye’s Amasya, had been a part of Lafci’s neighborhood for a long time.

Bayri was alive to witness the last three of the Ottoman sultans, namely Sultan Abdulhamid II, Sultan Mehmed V and Sultan Mehmed VI. She was alive during the conception of the Turkish republic, and has lived through 12 presidents of the republic.

In her 126 years on this Earth, Bayri has had 5 children and 20 grandchildren.

“Grandmother Ayse is 126 years old, probably the oldest in Türkiye. It makes us proud that she lives in our neighborhood,” Lafci said.

Bayri, born on July 1, 1898, spends her days reciting prayers, and advising her children to go on the Hajj pilgrimage, according to her daughter Cemile.