Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest known person, has died at age 117. Born in the US in 1907 and living through two pandemics and two world wars, Branyas passed away peacefully in her sleep, as per her family’s announcement on X.
Branyas had been residing at the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in Olot, Spain, for the past 20 years. She had previously expressed her readiness for death and comfort in the face of her passing.
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Guinness World Records recognized her as the oldest person in January 2023, following the death of French nun Lucile Randon. The current oldest living person is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, born in May 1908 and now 116 years old.
Branyas lived through the 1918 flu pandemic, both World Wars, and Spain’s civil war. She contracted Covid-19 in 2020 but fully recovered. Her daughter attributed her longevity to genetics, noting Branyas never faced major health issues.
Branyas believed her long life was due to order, tranquility, strong family connections, and a positive outlook. Born in San Francisco and later returning to Spain, she lived a full life marked by personal and historical milestones.
