Maria Branyas Morera lived an extraordinary life that spanned more than a century and bridged eras most people today can only imagine. Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, California, Branyas moved with her family to Catalonia, Spain, in 1915. When she passed away on August 19, 2024, at the age of 117 years and 168 days, she was the world’s oldest verified living person. Her story is not only astonishing for its length but also for its quality. Branyas offered a rare glimpse into how humans can age—not merely surviving, but living with clarity and purpose until the very end.
A Witness to a Changing World
When Maria was born, commercial flight, antibiotics, and radio broadcasts did not yet exist. Her 117-year journey saw her navigate:
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The Global Conflicts: World War I, the Spanish Civil War, and World War II.
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Economic Upheaval: The Great Depression and the post-war reshaping of global society.
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Technological Revolutions: The transition from horse-drawn carriages to satellites and the internet.
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Medical Miracles: The development of vaccines and her own survival of the COVID-19 pandemic at age 113, making her one of the oldest survivors of the virus.
The Science of Longevity: A Generous Final Act
Branyas approached the end of her life with a scientist’s curiosity. She explicitly requested that doctors study her biology in depth, hoping her physiology could benefit others. An international research effort led by the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute analyzed her genome, metabolome, and microbiome.
The findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, challenged the assumption that extreme age is synonymous with frailty.
1. Exceptional Genetic Resilience
Maria’s DNA contained rare genetic variants associated with enhanced health. Her genome was enriched with profiles linked to long life in other species, and she notably lacked variants associated with cancer, Alzheimer’s, and metabolic disorders.
2. Youthful Biological Markers
While her chronological age was 117, her biological age—measured by cellular markers—was significantly lower.
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Lipid Profile: She maintained very low levels of harmful cholesterol and high levels of protective HDL.
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Inflammation: She showed remarkably low levels of inflammatory markers, avoiding the “inflammaging” that typically drives age-related decline.
3. The Gut Microbiome Connection
Her gut was rich in beneficial microbes like Bifidobacterium. Researchers believe her microbiome, supported by a lifelong Mediterranean diet and a daily habit of eating plain, sugar-free yogurt, helped protect her immune system.
Lifestyle: The “Software” of Long Life
While genetics provided the foundation, Maria’s lifestyle choices acted as the essential “software” that kept her system running:
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Diet: A Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil, fish, and vegetables.
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Activity: Regular walking and staying physically mobile.
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Social & Emotional Health: She prioritized “order, tranquility, and strong family bonds.” She famously advised avoiding “toxic people” and seeking emotional stability.
Rethinking Cellular Aging
One of the most intriguing findings involved her telomeres—the protective caps on chromosomes. While hers were short (as expected for her age), her cellular regulation was so efficient that it prevented the dysregulated cell division that often leads to disease. This suggests a “decoupling” of aging biology, where markers of age do not necessarily translate to vulnerability.
A Legacy Beyond the Record Books
Maria Branyas Morera’s life remains a benchmark for gerontologists and physicians. Her daughter, Rosa Moret, noted that Maria never broke a bone and lived her final years pain-free. She proved that the boundaries of human life are not just about time, but about the convergence of genetics, habits, environment, and meaningful connection.
