https://longeviquest.com/2026/04/hilda-hecej-croatias-oldest-resident-turns-108/

Hilda Hećej, Croatia’s Oldest Resident, Turns 108

Hilda Hećej, the oldest living person in Croatia, celebrated her 108th birthday in Zagreb.

Hećej was born as Hilda Tompak in Suhopolje, Virovitica-Podravina County, on 23 April 1918. During World War II, she worked at the Museum of Slavonia while secretly collaborating with the National Liberation Movement in Croatia. Eventually, she managed to escape and join the Partisans. Since 1951, she has lived in Zagreb. Although she had the opportunity to pursue a political career, she chose instead to dedicate herself to family life as a housewife. She later married and had two children.

In October 2024, following the passing of 109-year-old Marija Herman, she became the nation’s oldest living resident.

Happy 108th Birthday!