A lawyer who thought he had a sweet deal!

I read about this lady who once lived in Arles, France and thought this was a good story. Jeanne Louise Calment, a widow, had lived to the age of 90, still healthy and clear-minded, having lived most of her life as a fairly well-to-do lady of leisure. But the widow by that time needed money to live on, having out-lived her daughter and grandson. She owned a nice apartment in which she resided. So fortunately she found a lawyer, Andre-Francois Raffray willing to buy it in a reverse-mortgage contract. Monsieur Raffray, then 47 years old, agreed pay Mme. Calment a certain amount every month until she died, at which time he would then own the apartment. Not a bad deal for him, considering her age, right?
Well, time passed and Mme. Calment lived on, eventually passing the 100 year mark still spry and fairly active. Monsieur Rafferty eventually passed away at the age of 77 years old.
And Mme. Calment? At that time still alive and celebrated as the oldest well-verified person in the world! Monsieur Rafferty's widow continued to pay her every month for more than a year following her husband's death. Mme. Calment then passed away at the age of 122 years of age. At that time about 3 times the value of her apartment had been paid out to her!
Yes...how sweet it is!

This message was edited Feb 7, 2009 8:12 PM