While enjoying the attentions of ‘many suitors’ over the years, the self-declared feminist has remained single ever since, and believes that enjoying her freedom has contributed heavily to her longevity.

Talking to the New York Times last year, Morano said: “I didn’t want to be dominated by anyone.”

Although she now finds it tiring to walk and hasn’t left her small apartment on the shores of Italy’s Lake Maggiore, near the Swiss border, for nearly 20 years, Morano is none the less independent.

She only conceded to having a full-time carer in the past year, and still dictates her own schedule (lots of napping and snacking) and eating regime, which incidentally, is the second component of Morano’s secret to longevity.

“I didn’t want to be dominated”: World’s oldest woman credits longevity to feminism