Minnesota’s oldest woman had to lie about her age to sign up for Facebook

By Elahe Izadi October 10, 2014

Anna Stoeher wanted to keep up with the times. So naturally, she signed up for Facebook.

But the soon-to-be-114-year-old Minnesotan couldn’t select her actual birth year during the sign-up process, NBC affiliate KARE reported.

The earliest birth year listed in the Facebook sign-up system is 1905 — a full five years after Stoeher was born.

So she fibbed about her age, telling Facebook’s registration system that she was 99.

But she wasn’t satisfied — and wasn’t going to stand for it. So she wrote a letter to Facebook.

A Verizon sales rep who recently befriended Stoeher took her dictation on a typewriter. “I’m still here,” she dictated, according to KARE.

Facebook did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.

Stoeher has been the state’s oldest resident for some years now. Two years ago, when asked about the secret to a long life, she told the Star Tribune: “For goodness sake, I don’t have an answer to a question like that. I did nothing.”

The key to such longevity is partially related to genetics; age-related diseases and disabilities that are likely influenced by a genetic predisposition are either absent or are delayed in such “supercentenarians” (people 110 and older).

In a study of 32 supercentenarians published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers found a “surprisingly substantial proportion” remained functionally independent and needed little assistance.

Photojournalist Jerry Friedman spent time with 50 of the world’s oldest people for a book, and he noted that all were optimistic and retained a good sense of humor, faith and social networks.

That’s the kind of profile Stoeher fits, the Star Tribune noted, pointing out her rosy outlook and sense of humor.

When a researcher called her to ask what the secret to a long life, the Star Tribune said, she responded: “I told him it was probably all those lard sandwiches I ate growing up.” She told the Star Tribune: “It took him a while to realize I was pulling his leg — although I did eat them, and I still like bacon and eggs. And potatoes, lots of potatoes.”

Stoeher also stays active — she lived independently in her farm house until recently — and stays in constant contact with friends and family.

“But there’s not so many friends left,” she said in 2012. “I’m the oldest one left around. Heck, I’m about the oldest one anywhere.”

Technology appears to help her stay in touch with others, though: She already has 30 friends on Facebook.

And, as KARE reported, she utilizes all sorts of modern devices to stay connected, including an iPad. She’s even been known to video-chat with people in Germany.

Despite what Facebook may believe, Stoeher turns 114 on Sunday, KARE reported.