The government has decided to grant a special state pension to Qamile Metan Marra, the 117-year-old Albanian woman whose case became widely known after gaining traction in the media and on social networks. The decision was taken by the Council of Ministers, indicating that the intervention came only after her story received broad public attention.
The government’s decision after public exposure
According to the official decision, Qamile Metan Marra will receive a pension supplement equal to ten times the social pension. However, the total pension she receives, together with other benefits and the new supplement, cannot exceed twelve times the social pension.
The decision was approved by the Council of Ministers at the proposal of the Prime Minister, based on the provisions of the Constitution and the law on social insurance. In essence, this is a special state intervention that came after the case became public, rather than as a result of an ordinary social mechanism that should have identified such cases on its own.
Who is Qamile Metan Marra
Qamile Metan Marra, born on August 19, 1909, has become known as one of the oldest women in the world. Her name drew increased attention after her story was published and widely discussed in Albania and abroad.
According to publicly released data, she is said to be two days older than the woman currently recognized by Guinness records as the oldest in the world. This claim has been one of the main reasons her case turned into a story of broad interest.
From a 7,700 lek pension to a special supplement
The 117-year-old worked for about 35 years in the agricultural cooperative and until now had been receiving a pension of around 7,700 lek. That detail in particular sparked public discussion about the level of support the state provides to elderly people with long work histories.
After the public uproar, the issue reached the government’s table, which decided to grant her special treatment. The case once again raises a familiar question: should such cases be resolved only after they turn into viral stories?
Details that drew attention
Her story was also widely discussed because of her lifestyle and diet. Qamile Metan Marra herself has said that her diet has included simple foods such as cabbage, beans and dairy products.
Beyond public curiosity about longevity, the latest decision shifts the focus to how institutions respond to social cases only after they gain media weight.
In the approved document, the government clearly set the benefit limit: the supplement will be granted at ten times the social pension, but the final amount cannot exceed twelve times it.
Qamile Metan Marra’s case remains a rare story of longevity, but also a reflection of how institutional response often comes only after public pressure makes silence impossible.