Guinness World Records has announced with great sadness the passing of Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person, who died peacefully on August 19 at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Her death was confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group.
Maria Branyas Morera, originally from the United States but a long-time resident of Spain, was recognized as the world’s oldest person in January 2023, following the death of Lucile Randon of France. Maria spent the last two decades of her life at a nursing home in Catalonia, Spain.
Maria attributed her remarkable longevity to a combination of factors including “order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.” She also acknowledged the roles of luck and good genetics in her longevity.
Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, California, Maria’s early life was marked by significant challenges. Her family returned to Catalonia in 1915, amidst World War I, after living in Texas and New Orleans. The trans-Atlantic journey was fraught with difficulties, including Maria falling from the upper deck and losing hearing in one ear, and the death of her father from pulmonary tuberculosis.
Settling in Barcelona and later in Banyoles, northeastern Catalonia, Maria married Dr. Joan Moret at the age of 24. The couple had three children and worked together during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) to treat wounded soldiers. After the war, Maria continued her work as Dr. Moret’s assistant until his death in 1976. She also outlived her eldest son August, who passed away at 86.
Maria’s extraordinary life spanned both World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the Spanish Flu pandemic. In a remarkable feat of resilience, she survived COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 113, becoming the world’s oldest COVID-19 survivor before being surpassed by Lucile Randon.
Maria celebrated her 117th birthday earlier this year with family and friends at her care home. Despite some mobility issues and being hard of hearing, she remained mentally sharp and engaged.
She is survived by two children, 11 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Her life, marked by perseverance and an optimistic outlook, stands as a testament to human resilience and the potential for longevity.
Our thoughts and condolences are with her family during this time of loss. Maria Branyas Morera’s legacy will be remembered as one of remarkable endurance and a life lived to its fullest.
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