Maria Branyas Morera, recognized as the world’s oldest person, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday at the age of 117. Born in San Francisco in 1907, Branyas lived through significant historical events, including both World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, and the 1918 flu pandemic. She had resided in a nursing home in Catalonia, Spain, for the last 20 years.
Branyas was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person in January 2023, following the death of French nun Lucile Randon. Her family, who managed her social media account, shared that she died without pain, as she had wished.
In a poignant message before her death, Branyas expressed that she felt her time was near but asked her family not to cry or suffer for her. The regional government of Catalonia offered heartfelt condolences, calling her “Catalonia’s grandmother” and praising her as a symbol of the value of life.
Branyas’s remarkable longevity and sharp mind were subjects of study by researchers, who were amazed by her overall good health despite her age. She leaves behind a large family, including two surviving children, 11 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.