World’s Oldest Person Dies at Age 117

Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest living person, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 117. Born in the United States in 1907, she lived through a remarkable era, enduring the Bubonic plague, two world wars, the Spanish flu pandemic, and the Spanish Civil War.

Her family announced the news on X, expressing their profound loss and admiration for her wisdom and kindness. Branyas spent her final decades in a nursing home in Olot, Spain.

Despite her advanced age, she maintained remarkable mental and physical health. In a poignant farewell message, she urged her followers not to grieve and expressed her anticipation for what lay ahead.

Guinness World Records officially recognized Branyas as the world’s oldest living person in January 2023. Following her death, the title now belongs to Japan’s Tomiko Itooka. The record for the oldest person ever lived is held by Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old.

Branyas’s life was marked by resilience and optimism. She attributed her longevity to a calm and orderly lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of avoiding stress and negative influences. Despite her age, she remained active, playing the piano, reading newspapers, and exercising well into her 100s.

Unusually for someone of her age, Branyas was a vibrant presence on social media, sharing her thoughts and experiences with over 16,000 followers. Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life that witnessed a century of immense historical change.