When they were born premature in 1912, doctors gave Paulette and Simone the slimmest chance of survival. But 104 years later, the French twins say there's a simple secret to their longevity: sticking together.
With their long white hair tied back in ponytails and gold spectacles perched on their noses, Paulette Olivier and Simone Thiot are happy to pose for the camera at their retirement home in Onzain, central France.
"This will be fun!" they say in chorus.
There is no official confirmation that Paulette and Simone are the oldest twins in France, but they appear to be the likely holders of the title.
"We're being very spoiled," one of them says as they show off the flowers given by the local council and fellow retirement home residents to mark their 104th birthday.
Paulette and Simone were born in the central village of Limeray at 11:00 am on January 30, 1912 to Marie Lamolie, a dressmaker, and her husband Joseph, a carpenter.
Their entry to the world did not bode well.
"We were premature," says Simone, who can still get around these days without the help of a Zimmer frame.
"We were due in March but we were born in January. They gave us a very small chance of surviving. I didn't even weigh a kilo. And you, just three pounds," she says to her sister.
"They had to keep us wrapped up for four months."
Paulette, widowed at 36, worked as a hairdresser for 15 years in Algeria, then in Paris.
Simone, a dressmaker like her mother, lost her husband when she was 64.
Neither had any children.
The twins, whose only brother died in accident at the age of 99, insist it's their lasting friendship that has kept them going all this time.
"We are still alive because we have always stayed close," says one. "We keep our independence -- each of us has her own room -- but we only need to cross the corridor to see and talk to each other.
"We pity old people who are alone with no one to visit them."
Paulette and Simone spend their time keeping up with current affairs, reading, watching television and listening to music.
Simone also regularly writes poems which she keeps in a notebook.
Any other tips for a long life? "A simple life -- no excess. No alcohol. And lots of sport.
"We did gymnastics for a long time, and a huge amount of cycling -- almost every day."
AFP
Sat Feb 13 2016
![France's 104-year-old twins say closeness is the secret France's 104-year-old twins say closeness is the secret](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-02/81455376937_Twin.jpg)
Centenary twins, Simone Thiot (L) and Paulette Olivier (R), smile inside the retirement home "Les Bois Blancs" on February 11, 2016. - AFP photo / GUILLAUME SOUVANT
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).