World's oldest living person passed away at 117
Her family shared the news on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
"Maria Branyas passed away as she wished—peacefully, in her sleep, and without pain," shared family.
Just before her passing, Maria had agreed to participate in scientific studies, hoping to uncover the secrets of her remarkable longevity.
La Maria Branyas ens ha deixat. Ha mort com ella volia: mentre dormia, tranquil·la i sense dolor.Fa uns dies ens deia:“Un dia me n'aniré d'aquí. No tornaré a provar cafè, ni a menjar iogurt, ni a acaronar a la Fada..., deixaré també els meus records, les meves reflexions... ????
— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) August 20, 2024
Born in San Francisco in 1907 during the second wave of the bubonic plague, Maria later moved to Spain in 1915 after her father, Josep, fell ill. Throughout her 117 years, Maria witnessed and survived the bubonic plague, two World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, the Spanish flu pandemic, and Covid-19. She also outlived her only son, whom she raised with her late husband, Joan Moret, who passed away in 1976.
x.com / @MariaBranyas112
Reports say that Maria remained mentally sharp until her final days. Shortly before her death, she felt weak and asked her family not to grieve when she was gone, reassuring them that she would be happy "wherever she goes."