The Woman Who (Supposedly) Lived 143 Years

The Origin of the Myth

During the 18th century, stories circulated claiming that a woman named Margaret Patten (also identified as Margaret Gibson) had reached an extraordinary age: 143 years. According to several images and engravings, she is depicted as being born in 1596 in Glasgow and passing away in 1739 at the St. Margaret’s workhouse in Westminster, London.

Some sources also mention that she lived 136 or 138 years, based on a portrait dated 1737 by John Cooper.

Doubts

Stories like that of Margaret Patten are typical examples of exaggerated popular tales. At that time, civil and church records were scarce or unreliable, especially for people of humble origins. In a compendium of extreme longevity claims, it is noted that such statements were often based on local beliefs rather than verified documents.

Furthermore, modern studies of fully verified cases indicate that the maximum human lifespan ever documented with reliable evidence is around 122 years. Any claim above 130 is generally classified as “unverified.”

Conclusion

The story of Margaret Patten living to 143 years old is part of the fascinating collection of historical myths about extreme longevity rather than scientifically proven facts. While it is possible that she lived a remarkably long life for her time, there are no reliable records to support such an advanced age. In reality, these narratives reflect humanity’s desire to transcend time more than documented evidence.