Credit: Wagner-Wissiak family
On Thursday 26 March 2026, Laura Wissiak celebrated her 100th birthday at the Fondation Pescatore retirement home in Luxembourg City, where she has been residing since 2019.
Born in Genoa, Laura Wissiak graduated in pharmaceutical chemistry in 1948 and began an international career at a young age, which eventually brought her to Luxembourg.
In 1952, she arrived in the Grand Duchy with a small suitcase and quickly integrated into the expatriate community. With her first salary, she bought a Volkswagen Beetle and regularly sent financial support to her parents in Genoa.
In 1956, she met Jean Wagner during an evening at the theatre; they married in Genoa the following year. He went on to serve as Luxembourg's ambassador in several major postings, including Paris, Washington DC, Rome, London and Brussels.
In the 1960s, Laura Wissiak worked as a reader and proofreader for the Official Journal of the European Communities in Luxembourg. Over the years, she accompanied her husband on his various postings abroad. Jean Wagner passed away in 2018.
Laura Wissiak marked her milestone birthday at the Fondation Pescatore, surrounded by family, including her three children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
An official ceremony was also held, co-hosted by Luxembourg City Mayor Lydie Polfer and Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn. In their speeches, both paid tribute to Laura Wissiak, highlighting her longstanding contribution to Luxembourg alongside her late husband.
On this occasion, Minister Hahn presented her with the Medal of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, an act described by her family as "an unexpected and deeply appreciated honour".
Her granddaughter, Nicole Wagner, said the centenarian was "still living with a sharp and active mind" and described her life and current condition as "truly remarkable".
