Lucile Randon, known affectionately as Sister André, was born on February 11, 1904, in France. She dedicated her life to service, becoming a nurse and a religious sister. Her journey in faith began as a young adult when she converted to Roman Catholicism, leading her to roles as a governess, teacher, nun, and missionary.
Randon's remarkable life spanned over a century, during which she became a symbol of resilience and longevity. She was recognized as the world's oldest verified living person following the passing of Kane Tanaka on April 19, 2022. At the time of her death on January 17, 2023, she was one hundred eighteen years and three hundred forty days old, making her the fourth-oldest verified person in history.
In addition to her impressive age, Sister André holds the distinction of being the oldest nun ever and the oldest confirmed survivor of the COVID-19 pandemic, having tested positive for the virus just a month before her one hundred seventeenth birthday. Her later years were spent in a nursing home in Toulon, France, where she lived from two thousand nine until her passing.