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Does the oldest woman in the world hold the secrets to long life?
Spanish pensioner Maria Branyas Morera has reached the ripe old age of 117
Maria Branyas Morera, the world's oldest person, celebrated her 117th birthday this week. As the world gears up to celebrate the incredible achievements of women on International Women’s Day (March 8) scientists from across the globe are keen to uncover the mysteries behind the Spanish pensioner’s extraordinary longevity.
Born in San Francisco in 1907, Ms Morera has lived through numerous historical events, including the second wave of the Bubonic Plague, World War I and the Spanish Flu pandemic.
She and her family decided to return to Spain, their homeland, in 1915. Sadly, Maria’s dad succumbed to tuberculosis on the journey across the Atlantic but the determined young woman continued to thrive, surviving two world wars and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Her remarkable resilience earned her the title of the world's oldest person after the passing of French nun Sister André in January 2023.
Ms Morera maintains an active presence on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, sharing updates with her 16,000 followers. On her 117th birthday, she tweeted: "Good morning, world. Today I turn 117 years old. I've come this far."
Scientists are now studying Ms Morera's body to gain insights into the secrets of a long life. They have collected samples of her saliva, blood and urine and will compare them with those of her 80-year-old daughter. By analysing Ms Morera's genes, researchers hope to develop drugs that combat age-related diseases.
Spanish researcher Manel Esteller explained: “She has a completely lucid mind.
“She remembers with impressive clarity events from when she was only four years old, and she does not present any cardiovascular disease, common in elderly people.
“It is clear that there is a genetic component because there are several members of her family who are over 90 years old.”
But the pensioner herself attributes her longevity to much simpler habits: living a stress-free life, keeping her mind and body active and “staying away from toxic people.” And she swears by the “positive properties” in yoghurt.
Maria married Catalan doctor Joan Moret when she was just 23, in 1931, but he passed away more than 46 years ago at the age of 71. She has been happily living in sheltered accommodation in the northern Spanish town of Olot in Catalonia since she was 92.
As the world celebrates International Women's Day, Ms Morera's remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of women. Her determination to thrive in the face of adversity is an inspiration to us all, and her contributions to society will not soon be forgotten.
Image: Guinness World Records
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