Photo: Guinness Book of Records
The world has lost a symbol of longevity and wisdom. Maria Branyas Morera, recognized as the world’s oldest person, peacefully passed away on August 19 at a nursing home in Catalonia, Spain, at the age of 117. Her life is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as she lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the Spanish flu pandemic.
Maria was born in San Francisco, California, on March 4, 1907, to Spanish immigrants who sought new opportunities in the United States. She spent her early years in a rapidly growing America, but in 1915, during World War I, her family decided to return to Catalonia. This decision proved to be challenging: during the transatlantic journey, Maria lost hearing in one ear after falling from the ship’s upper deck, and her father tragically died of tuberculosis.
Upon returning to Spain, the family settled in Barcelona and later moved to the town of Banyoles. Maria continued her life in Spain, where, at the age of 24, she married Dr. Joan Moret. Together, they endured the Spanish Civil War, during which they worked in field hospitals providing care to wounded soldiers. After the war, Maria continued to support her husband in his medical practice.
Fate had another challenge in store for her—in 2020, when the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, Maria contracted the virus at the age of 113. But even then, with her strength and resilience, she fully recovered, becoming the oldest person in the world to survive COVID-19. Maria always emphasized that the secret to her longevity lay in peace, a positive outlook, strong family ties, and avoiding toxic people.
Her life was filled with simple yet profound principles that helped her maintain her health and mental clarity until her final days. Her passing is a great loss for all who knew her story. Maria is survived by two children, 11 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, who will always remember her as a source of inspiration and wisdom.
Source: Guinness World Records
