The world’s oldest person passes away. María Branyas Morera, who was the world’s oldest person, passed away peacefully at the age of 117 on August 19, 2024. Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, she lived through significant historical events, including two World Wars and the Spanish Civil War. She attributed her remarkable longevity to “order, tranquility, a good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.” Her family shared that she passed away in her sleep, as she had wished, “at peace, and without pain” (ITVX) (Guinness World Records).
In the relentless march of time, where seconds pulse forward with an indifferent cadence, María Branyas Morera stood as a paradoxical figure—both rooted in the past and alive in the present, embodying a resilience that transcended mere survival. On a quiet Tuesday, at the astonishing age of 117, she relinquished her place in this world, leaving behind not just a memory, but a living legacy, a testament to a life that spanned the dawn of three centuries.
María’s birth on March 4, 1907, in California was the beginning of an odyssey. Her early life unfolded against the backdrop of an America burgeoning with ambition and hope, only for her narrative to pivot dramatically when her family, in pursuit of their destiny, crossed the vast Atlantic to resettle in Catalonia. This journey was marred by tragedy—her father’s life claimed by the tumultuous voyage—a somber prelude to the epic story that would define María’s existence.
THE world’s oldest person has died at the age of 117 after sharing a heartbreaking final message.
Spanish pensioner Maria Branyas Morera lived through two world wars and a global pandemic with her family revealing she passed away “peacefully and without pain”. pic.twitter.com/I35sA9XPTB
— J Stewart (@triffic_stuff_) August 20, 2024
Her life was an intricate weave of history’s most turbulent threads: two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, the ravaging 1918 flu pandemic, and the more recent scourge of COVID-19. María did not merely survive these trials; she faced them with a stoic grace, an unflinching spirit, and a heart that bore the weight of time without succumbing to its bitterness. The world learned of her passing through a poignant announcement from her family on the platform X, sharing that María left this world in the manner she had always wished—peacefully, in the quiet embrace of sleep, untroubled by pain.
A day before she departed, María shared a final reflection, a glimpse into the tranquil acceptance with which she viewed her imminent departure. “The time is near. Don’t cry, I don’t like tears. And above all, don’t suffer for me. Wherever I go, I will be happy,” she wrote, her words resonating with the serene wisdom of someone who had long since made peace with the inevitable.
María’s extraordinary longevity captured global attention when Guinness World Records named her the world’s oldest living person in January 2023, following the passing of French nun Lucile Randon at 118. But it was not the sheer number of years she lived that made María remarkable—it was the vibrant life within those years, the wisdom that radiated from her like light from a distant star, and her refusal to let the hardships of life harden her heart.
#BREAKING : World’s oldest person Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera dies at 117.#MariaBranyasMorera #RIPMaria #Spain #RIP #MariaBranyas pic.twitter.com/S8rc0t7qHp
— upuknews (@upuknews1) August 20, 2024
Her daughter, Rosa Moret, often spoke of the seemingly indestructible nature of María’s health, marveling at how her mother had never seen the inside of a hospital as a patient, had never broken a bone, and had lived her life free from chronic pain. Even at 113, when María confronted COVID-19, she emerged victorious, adding yet another chapter to her legend of resilience.
At 116, María celebrated her birthday at the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in Olot, Catalonia, surrounded by those who admired and loved her. She remained lucid and engaged, her memories a vivid tapestry that she generously shared with those who gathered to honor her. Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, a global longevity research organization, was among those who celebrated with her, reflecting on her as a beacon of endurance and grace. María, ever the gracious soul, expressed her deep gratitude for the love that flowed her way from across the globe, her heart warmed by the recognition of her indomitable spirit.
#MariaBranyasMorera, the world’s oldest person, dies at 117 in #Spain. Born in the #UnitedStates and a survivor of two world wars, #Branyas spent her final two decades at the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in Olot, northeastern Spain.#OldestPerson pic.twitter.com/pi5AW5QAsK
— know the Unknown (@imurpartha) August 20, 2024
Yet, her long life was not without sorrow. The early loss of her father left a lasting impression, but María refused to let grief define her. She lived by a simple, profound creed: “Never, ever, become a bitter person no matter what.”
Following her death, the title of the oldest living person is expected to pass to Fusa Tatsumi of Japan, who was born on April 25, 1907, making her 117 years old. The next oldest verified individuals include Edie Ceccarelli of the United States and Tekla Juniewicz of Poland, both born in 1909.
These individuals, like María Branyas Morera, have lived extraordinary lives, witnessing over a century of history and embodying the resilience and spirit of their times.
Major Points
- María Branyas Morera passed away peacefully at 117, leaving behind an enduring legacy.
- Born in 1907 in California, she later moved to Catalonia after a tragic family journey.
- She lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, and multiple pandemics.
- Named the world’s oldest living person in January 2023 by Guinness World Records.
- Her life was marked by health, gratitude, and a refusal to let hardship harden her spirit.
Susan Guglielmo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News