Nesta Leeloo, Retired Seamstress Who Is Second Oldest Living U.S. Woman, Celebrates 108th Birthday: ‘Could Not Ask for More’
A Florida woman just celebrated a monumental birthday.
Nesta Leeloo, a Jamaican-born retired seamstress who now lives in Tamarac, turned 108 years old on Monday, Jan. 6. According to NBC 6 South Florida, Leeloo, who is affectionately known by her loved ones as “Mama,” is just six years shy of being the oldest living woman in the United States.
The record is currently held by Greenville, Pa., resident Naomi Whitehead, who is 114.
Leeloo spoke to the local news outlet and shared her personal tips on how to live a long, fulfilling life.
“Be decent,” Leeloo said. “Don’t do things that your parents don’t want you to do, because they want you to be a lady or a gentleman whoever you are.”
Born in Mandeville, Jamaica, Leeloo is one of 12 children. She later moved to Kingston, where she got married before immigrating to the U.S.
She has six children, 19 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren and five great-great-great grandchildren.
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Her family, who can all be seen celebrating her milestone birthday in a video shared by NBC 6, told the outlet that “everyday with her is a gift.”
“They are my life,” Leeloo added in return. “I love my family.”
According to the outlet, Michelle J. Gomez, the mayor of Tamarac, officially declared Jan. 6 as “Nesta Leeloo Day” during her 107th birthday celebration last year.
Leeloo’s passions include playing the piano, staying manicured and eating Jamaican food.
“A good plate of beef soup,” said Leeloo, sharing one of her favorite dishes. “I like soup.”
The Gleaner, a publication from Leeloo’s former home of Kingston, also spoke with the centenarian about her milestone birthday.
“I had a wonderful life,” she told the outlet. “I had wonderful parents, could not ask for more.”
