Two sisters, both over 99

Giovanna Marras is 101 and her sister Mariangela is 99. They live together in Bolotana, a mountain village in central Sardinia, and remain full of life and energy.

Neither sister married

The Marras sisters ran a successful tailoring business in Bolotana before travelling the world after retirement. Both chose independence over marriage, rejecting proposals from suitors.

“I walk my own path, I don't need support.”

Village in line for blue zone status

Bolotana, population 2,266, is on track to become the world's sixth blue zone, a geographic area with unusually high concentrations of centenarians. Sardinia was home to the first blue zone.

Study finds exceptional female longevity

A study by professors at the University of Sassari and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, published in Frontiers in Aging last week, found that 13.

Second only to Hong Kong

The 13.8% female longevity rate places Bolotana second in the world after Hong Kong. Giovanna is the third eldest of six female centenarians currently living in the village.

More centenarians expected soon

Tonia Giglio and Maddalena Falchi are both 102. By the end of this year, two other women are expected to reach 100, and in 2027 two more, including Mariangela.

Historical shift toward female longevity

Records of people born in Bolotana between 1900 and 1925 showed 38 lived beyond 100, a rate 57% higher than the Italian national average. Until the early 1900s, men outnumbered women among the elderly.

Independence marks female centenarians

The Marras sisters still cook for themselves, eating a varied diet without forsaking meat, cheese or wine. Filomena Scarpa, who turned 100 in January, goes to a personal trainer twice a week.

“Because I can't sit around all day.”

Scientists explore sisterhood factor

Giovanni Mario Pes, who led the study and co-created the blue zone concept, noted a strong sense of sisterhood among female residents.He said this felt unusual and is something he would like to explore scientifically.

“This felt quite unusual and is something I'd like to explore scientifically.”

Village environment supports longevity

Bolotana sits in Sardinia's Marghine mountains, about 70 miles from the original blue zone. Its steep streets provide unavoidable exercise, and most people still eat fruit and vegetables grown in their gardens.

Abundance of affection keeps elderly home

Francesco Manconi, the mayor of Bolotana, believes there is an abundance of natural affection from family, neighbours and friends towards the elderly.The village places great importance on ensuring they can stay in their own homes.

“There is an abundance of natural affection, whether from family members, neighbours or friends, towards our elderly.”