Remembering Maria Branyas Morera: The World's Oldest Person Who Lived Through History
Maria Branyas Morera, the oldest verified person in the world, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 117, as announced by her family on social media. Born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, Branyas led a remarkable life that spanned through two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the 1918 flu pandemic. Her family shared that she left them as she wished, without pain, and her spirit will be remembered for her wisdom and kindness.
For over two decades, Branyas resided in the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in Olot, northeastern Spain. In one of her poignant posts, she expressed her feelings of weakness and reassured her family, stating, "Don’t cry, I don’t like tears. And above all, don’t suffer for me. Wherever I go, I will be happy." Even leading up to her death, she showed incredible resilience, having recovered from COVID-19 just weeks after her 113th birthday.
Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest person in January 2023, Branyas succeeded the late Lucile Randon, who passed away at 118. Following Branyas’ death, Japan's Tomiko Itooka, born on May 23, 1908, has now taken the title as the oldest living person at 116 years old.
Reflecting on her astounding longevity, her youngest daughter, Rosa Moret, attributed it partly to genetic factors, revealing that her mother had never been hospitalized or experienced broken bones. Manel Esteller, a researcher from the University of Barcelona, noted that Branyas had remarkably retained her mental faculties and memory, recalling vivid details from her childhood.
Branyas' journey began when her family moved from Mexico to the United States, and then back to Spain in 1915. Navigating a precarious voyage across the Atlantic during World War I, the family faced tragedy when her father died from tuberculosis, forcing them to bury him at sea. They settled in Barcelona, where Branyas would later marry a doctor and raise three children, experiencing love and loss over the decades.
As the world reflects on her remarkable life, we remember Maria Branyas Morera not only as the land of the oldest person but as a living archive of history, whose stories and experiences are now poignant reminders of resilience and the passage of time. She leaves behind a legacy that spans generations, reminding us of the interconnectedness of human experiences across eras.
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