World’s Oldest Person, Maria Branyas dies at 117 in Spain

Madrid: Maria Branyas, the world’s oldest person, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 117 in a nursing home in Spain. The news of her death was confirmed by a spokesperson from the nursing home and announced on her official X account, which is managed by her daughter.

“Maria Branyas has left us. She has died as she wanted: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain,” read the post. A day earlier, Branyas hinted at her impending demise, writing, “I feel weak. The time is coming. Don’t cry, I don’t like tears… You know me, wherever I go, I will be happy.”

Born in San Francisco, California, in 1907, Branyas moved with her Spanish family back to Catalonia at the age of seven, where she spent the remainder of her life. Over her 117 years, she witnessed significant historical events, including the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War and two pandemics—the 1918 Spanish flu and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

In 1931, she married Catalan doctor Joan Moret, with whom she had three children. Branyas outlived her husband, who passed away in 1976, and her son August, who tragically died in a tractor accident at the age of 86.

Maria Branyas became the world’s oldest person in January 2023 and celebrated her 117th birthday on March 4. She credited her longevity to luck, good genetics, and a peaceful life filled with positivity, family connections, and avoiding toxic influences.

Branyas allowed scientists to study her exceptional longevity in hopes of uncovering insights into long and healthy living. At the time of her passing, she was the 12th oldest verified person in history. The record for the oldest verified person remains held by Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old.