101-Year-Old Woman With Underlying Conditions Who Survived The Spanish Flu, Survives The Coronavirus

In the beginning of the novel coronavirus spread, it was believed that the elderly and those with underlying conditions were more likely to succumb to the disease.

However, within the last month, we have seen many recovery stories from groups of people least expected by health officials.

Now, a 101-year-old woman who survived the Spanish flu is sharing her story after beating COVID-19.

New York resident Angelina Friedman was born in 1918 during the second wave of the Spanish flu pandemic. Friedman was born on a passenger ship that was bringing immigrants from Italy to New York City, Complex reports.

“Her mother died giving birth on the ship, and she was taken care of by her two sisters, who were also on board,” Friedman’s daughter, Joanne Merola,

said in a statement to WPIX.

When Friedman and her sister arrived to Brooklyn, they were reunited with their father, who already lived there.

“Everybody in the family lived until at least 95, except one uncle,” Merola continued. “My mother is a survivor. She is not human. She has superhuman DNA.”

The outlet also reported that throughout her life, Friedman has also survived miscarriages, cancer, sepsis, and most recently the coronavirus.

“[The nurses] tell me she’s doing great. She’s up and about as much as possible. She’s looking for wool to crochet with,” Merola added. “If my mother could see this, I’d tell her, ‘You keep going, Ma. You’re gonna outlive us all.’”

With Friedman being deaf and Merola having back trouble, the two haven’t seen each other or spoken since February.

The almost 102-year-old was diagnosed with the deadly virus late March after being admitted for a procedure. She felt feverish for the several weeks following, however as of April 20, she officially tested negative for the virus.