Maria Branyas Morera, an American‑born Spaniard, became one of the longest‑lived people ever reliably documented, passing away in August 2024 at 117 years and 168 days old. Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, California, she moved with her family to Catalonia, Spain in 1915, where she spent most of her life and later resided in a care home in the town of Olot. Branyas held the title of world’s oldest living person from January 2023 — after the death of French nun Lucile Randon — until her own death. She was recognized by organizations such as the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks and validates supercentenarians, and was listed as one of the few people in human history to reach such an advanced age.
Across her extraordinary life spanning more than a century, Branyas experienced some of the defining events of modern history. She lived through World War I, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and more recently the COVID‑19 pandemic, which she survived at age 113 with only mild symptoms. Despite her age, she remained mentally engaged and communicated with the world through social media, humorously describing her X profile as “I am old, very old, but not an idiot.” Her longevity and demeanor earned her admiration and attention both in Spain and internationally as a symbol of resilience and longevity.
In the final years of her life, Branyas actively requested that scientists study her biology to help uncover the secrets behind her remarkable lifespan. Researchers from the University of Barcelona, the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, and other institutions conducted one of the most comprehensive scientific analyses ever undertaken on a supercentenarian. Known as a multiomics study, this research examined her genome, transcriptome, metabolome, proteome, microbiome, and epigenome, comparing her biological markers with those of younger individuals to understand why she aged so healthily. Instead of finding a simple explanation, scientists discovered a complex interplay of genetic and biological factors that helped decouple extreme age from typical age‑related diseases.
One of the key scientific findings was that while Branyas showed some molecular signs of aging, she did not exhibit many of the diseases commonly associated with advanced age, such as heart disease, cancer, or neurodegenerative disorders. Her immune system appeared exceptionally robust, with efficient defense cells and low levels of chronic inflammation, a known driver of age‑related health decline. The study also highlighted rare genetic variants in her DNA associated with longevity, effective DNA repair, and metabolic efficiency — traits that likely helped her body resist conditions that typically afflict older adults. According to researchers, this demonstrates that chronological age does not necessarily equate to biological frailty, challenging traditional assumptions about aging.
Branyas’s microbiome — the community of bacteria in her gut — was another area of scientific interest. Researchers found that her gut bacteria profile more closely resembled that of much younger adults, which may have supported her immune response and overall health. Diet and lifestyle also appeared to contribute: she ate a generally balanced diet consistent with Mediterranean traditions, which included fish, olive oil, and daily consumption of yogurt, possibly influencing her gut health and inflammation levels positively. Scientists believe this combination of genetic predispositions, metabolic efficiency, and beneficial gut microbiota helped maintain her health, even as her cells aged.
Beyond biology, Branyas herself emphasized the role of lifestyle and emotional well‑being in her long life. She attributed her longevity to factors such as peaceful routines, strong family connections, emotional balance, staying close to nature, positive attitude, and avoiding stress and negativity. These insights from her personal reflections dovetail with scientific observations that psychosocial factors and supportive environments can play substantial roles in maintaining health into extreme old age. Her legacy continues to inspire both the scientific community and the public, offering a holistic picture of how genetics, daily habits, social ties, and mental outlook can together shape a long and fulfilling life.
Ultimately, Maria Branyas Morera’s life and the research it inspired provide valuable lessons about human longevity. Her case shows that while genetics are undeniably important, they work in concert with lifestyle, immune function, metabolic health, and psychosocial resilience. Studies of extreme longevity like hers could inform future medical research aimed at understanding and potentially extending healthy human life. Branyas’s own openness to scientific exploration — combined with her everyday life grounded in community, positivity, and simplicity — leaves a legacy that goes beyond records, offering hope and insight into what aging healthily might look like for future generations
