Jeanne Calment, Actuarial Paradoxography and the Limit to Human Lifespan

Abstract

The case of Jeanne Calment and her exceptional longevity has attracted worldwide attention, detailed examination, and some skepticism. Most recently, it has been suggested that Jeanne Calment's record is spurious and the result of identity fraud by her daughter. Although there is merit to subjecting claims of extreme longevity to scrutiny, either validating or debunking a single case has a negligible impact on scientific knowledge of aging and lifespan.