Besse Berry Cooper (née Brown; August 26, 1896 – December 4, 2012)[2] was an American supercentenarian[3] who was the world's oldest living person from June 21, 2011, until her death in 2012. Cooper was born Besse Berry Brown in Sullivan County, Tennessee, on August 26, 1896, the third of eight children born to Richard Brown (1861–1932) and Angeline Berry (1866–1927).

Following her husband's death, Cooper lived alone on their farm until 2001, when she moved into a nursing home at the age of 105.

[8] She was thought to be the world's oldest living person after the death of Eunice Sanborn on January 31, 2011[12] until May 18, 2011, when Brazil's Maria Gomes Valentim was verified as older.

[13] On June 21, 2011, Maria Gomes Valentim died, and Cooper became the world's oldest living person.

[14] Cooper reportedly attributed her longevity to "minding her own business" and avoiding junk food.