Maria Branyas Morera, who held the title of the world’s oldest person, has passed away at the age of 117.
The Spanish supercentenarian died peacefully in her sleep, as she had wished, according to her family.
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON’S LIFE
Branyas’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary life that spanned across two pandemics and two world wars.
Born in San Francisco on 4 March 1907, Branyas experienced significant hardship in her early life.
Her family moved from Mexico to the US just before her birth, according to The Guardian.
Tragedy struck during their return journey to Spain in 1915, when her father died from tuberculosis. His coffin was cast into the sea, adding to the family’s sorrow. They eventually settled in Barcelona.
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON AND LIFE’S MOMENTS
Throughout her life, Branyas witnessed monumental historical events. She survived the Spanish Civil War and both World Wars.
In 1918, she experienced the devastating flu pandemic. Most recently, in 2020, she contracted Covid-19 just weeks after celebrating her 113th birthday.
Despite the scare, she made a full recovery, which her family attributed to her remarkable resilience and health, according to Sky News.
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Branyas spent the last two decades of her life at the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in Olot, north-eastern Spain.
Known for her wisdom and kindness, she used to communicate through a voice-to-text device later in life.
Her daughter, Rosa Moret, attributed her mother’s longevity to strong genetics and a positive outlook, according to the New York Times.
“She has never broken any bones, and she has no pain,” Moret shared in a 2023 interview.
SAYING GOODBYE
In a heartfelt post on social media, Branyas had earlier stated, “The time is near.
Don’t cry, I don’t like tears. And above all, don’t suffer for me. Wherever I go, I will be happy.” Her passing was met with an outpouring of respect and admiration from around the world.
Manel Esteller, a genetics professor at the University of Barcelona, studied Branyas’s DNA to understand her longevity.
WORLD’S OLDEST PERSON AND HEALTH
He was impressed by her health, noting that her mind remained remarkably lucid.
“Her memory is impressive. She recalls events from when she was only four years old, and she has no cardiovascular disease, which is unusual for someone her age,” Esteller said.
Branyas’s life was not without its challenges. She married a doctor in 1931, five years before the Spanish Civil War erupted.
The couple lived together for forty years and had three children, one of whom has since passed away.
FAMILY LIFE
They were blessed with eleven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Her husband died at the age of 72.
As the world reflects on her incredible journey, Branyas’s legacy highlights her remarkable ability to endure through the most tumultuous times.
Her approach to life—emphasising order, tranquility, and emotional stability—was a cornerstone of her longevity.
A POSITIVE SPIRIT
The title of the oldest living person now goes to Japan’s Tomiko Itooka. Tomiko was born on 23 May 1908 and is currently 116 years old, according to the US Gerontology Research Group.
Maria Branyas Morera’s passing leaves a void in the record books but also offers a reminder of the incredible lives lived by those who have come before us.
Many will remember her longevity, positive spirit, and wisdom for years to come.
HOW DOES HER STORY CHALLENGE OR REINFORCE YOUR OWN VIEWS ABOUT AGEING AND HEALTH?
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