Blažena Strachotová, the oldest living citizen of the Czech Republic, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, at the age of 108.

Born on February 9, 1917, in Slavičín, in the Zlín region, she lived through the Austria-Hungary era and witnessed more than a century of historical change.

For many years, she called České Budějovice home, where she maintained her independence well into her later years.

Even in her final years, Strachotová prepared her own breakfast daily, usually a simple slice of bread with honey. She placed great value on family life, often saying, “Family is the foundation of life.”

She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her passing. “She died peacefully in her sleep, with family by her side,” said Mayor Dagmar Škodová Parmová. “Meeting her was a real experience. She was optimistic, self-sufficient, and truly memorable. Her memory and vitality were remarkable for her age.”

Strachotová lived at the Nursing Home on Nerudova Street but used its services minimally, preferring to remain independent.

Her work ethic began in childhood. She trained as a butcher and sausage maker and helped run her family’s bakery and farm. “I delivered pastries in the mornings before school,” she recalled during her 108th birthday celebration this year. She continued to work in various roles throughout her life, including in a soda factory where she met her future husband, and later as a delivery worker.

She celebrated a large extended family, including four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, continuing the lineage from her own five siblings. “My family takes care of me in ways I cannot manage on my own. I’m grateful for them every day,” she said.

Strachotová attributed her longevity to daily physical activity and mental exercise. “You must keep moving and stay mentally active,” she advised. She also maintained a routine of giving thanks each morning for the gift of another day.

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