Maria Branyas, who held the title of the world’s oldest person, passed away peacefully at the age of 117 in a nursing home in Spain. Her death was confirmed on Tuesday through a post on her official account on the X platform, managed by her daughter, and by a spokesperson at the nursing home. The post shared that Branyas “died as she wanted: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain.”
Just a day before her passing, Branyas hinted at her imminent demise with a heartfelt message on X, expressing her readiness to depart and reassuring her followers not to cry, as she wished to be remembered with happiness. Her death marks the end of an extraordinary life that spanned over a century, filled with historic events, personal milestones, and remarkable resilience.
Maria Branyas was born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, California, to a Spanish family. At the age of seven, she moved back to Catalonia, Spain, where she would spend the remainder of her life. Her life journey saw her living through some of the most significant events of the 20th and 21st centuries, including the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and two global pandemics—the 1918 Spanish flu and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021.
In 1931, Branyas married Catalan doctor Joan Moret, with whom she had three children. Her husband passed away in 1976, and tragically, she also outlived her son, August, who died in a tractor accident at the age of 86. Despite these losses, Branyas continued to live a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by her remaining family and friends.
Branyas attributed her exceptional longevity to a combination of factors, including luck, good genetics, and a lifestyle characterized by “order, tranquillity, good connections with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.” Her wisdom and approach to life made her a source of inspiration for many, as documented by Guinness World Records.
In January 2023, Branyas became the world’s oldest person, a title she held until her death. At the age of 117, she was the 12th oldest verified person in history, according to Guinness World Records. The record for the oldest person ever remains with Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old.
Maria Branyas’ life was a testament to resilience, positivity, and the strength of the human spirit. Her passing is not just the end of an era but a celebration of a life well-lived. Her legacy continues through her family, the many lives she touched, and the wisdom she imparted through her long journey on this Earth.
