Daisy Belle Ward’s birthday was a very special one because she turned 100. Ward, who is America’s oldest living “leap baby,” is hoping to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.
Daisy Belle Ward‘s birthday bash was like no other.
Mrs. Ward, who was born on February 29, 1916, in Rocky Ford, Georgia, turned 100 today and was declared the oldest-living “leap baby” in the United States. For the special birthday celebration, the elderly woman was dressed in a fancy white suit and matching hat.
Ward, who only had 25 calendar birthdays, usually celebrates via a small dinner with family and friends, but this year she went all out with a four-day bash, that included an 80-piece marching band and a giant cake with her picture – believed it or not, she danced the night away.
Ward, who is currently residing in an assisted living facility, in Sunrise, Florida, was honored by city officials. The mother of four was gifted with a free concert by gospel performance recording artist Dottie Peoples and attended an all-white gala where she was presented with the Centennial Certificate issued by President Barack Obama.
Her son, Clinton Ward, spoke to local media saying that the family is happy the remarkably healthy woman reached age 100. He shared:
‘The idea about it is this — we’re happy that she reached it. I’m 81 years old, and I would like to reach 100, but I would like to be in the state of mind just like she is… leading up to the big celebration, my mother was excited about it and every time we’d come to [visit her] she’d think it was the day.’
Daisy Belle Ward is a retired caregiver, who lived in New York City in the 1930s before moving to Florida. At 100, Ward lives a very exciting life as she still shows her independence and calls herself “the boss.”
According to Clinton Ward, reaching the age of 100 in the family is not new, Daisy’s older sister, Harriet, lived to celebrate her 102th birthday.
The family has submitted paperwork to have her entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest living leap year baby.
Guinness book of records…ridiculous. My mother was born on Leap day 1916. We just had her 100th birthday party. Cleveland station Channel 3 covered it. Governor Kasich sent her a letter congratulating her on her milestone leap day birthday. Before people make claims, they really need to verify whether or not it is true.
Miss Daisy is Not the oldest living leap year baby. My mom also was born on February 29, 1916. She is very active, lives alone, does all her own cooking, laundry, etc. It’s a shame that she didn’t get all the attention she deserves, although, the NBC channel in Cleveland had a story about her on the news.