Andalucía
Sevilla grandmother reaches 117 years of age.
By h.b.
Jan 6, 2009 - 7:26 PM

Maria Díaz Cortés, known popularly as the Grandmother of El Vacie, the poor shanty town near Sevilla, on Sunday reached her 117th birthday.

Despite the conditions of relative poverty where she lives, María is reported to be in good health and ‘very aware’.

Born in Granada in 1892, she now lives in a prefabricated building with no hot water or bathroom, and is looked after by her daughter and granddaughters. She receives a monthly pension of 300 € and last year she and her family were offered a three bedroom home in the San Bernardo area of Sevilla by the City Hall.

Left wing councillor Antonio Rodrigo said the family formally rejected the home.