115 Year Old Spanish Flu & Covid Survivor Becomes World´s Oldest Person
A 115-year-old Spanish woman has become the world’s oldest person following the death of French nun Lucile Randon.
Maria Branyas Morera from Olot, Catalonia, took over the title of worlds longest living person, when Lucile – also known as Sister Andre – died on 17th January aged 118.
Spain has one of the highest life expectancy figures of any country.
In 2021 a Spaniard became the world´s oldest man.
Maria – who lives in the Santa Maria del Tura d’Olot old people’s home – is said to be in good health.
She came to public attention at the beginning of the Covid pandemic, becoming the world´s oldest survivor – then aged a sprightly 113.
Her family is reported to be planning a private party for her to celebrate her milestone, recognised in the Guinness World Records.
Maria was born to Catalan emigrants in San Francisco, USA, on 4th March 1907.
The family returned to Spain when she was seven years old.
She still remembers World War I, the Spanish Flu epidemic and the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), media in Spain reported.
Her family has opened a profile on Twitter for her – @MariaBranyas112 – where they tell anecdotes from her life, such as her great passion being the piano.
They also reveal the secret to her longevity – a healthy diet and “order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends”.
Maria played piano from when she was a child to when she was 108 years old, when she lost the nimbleness in her fingers.
In one tweet, Maria – a dog lover – recalls all the pets she has cared for over the years.
In her Twitter bio, she humorously writes: “I’m old, very old, but not stupid.”
She married in 1931 and had three children, 11 grandchildren (one of whom is 70 years old) and 13 great-grandchildren.
Enhorabuena y Muchos Felicidades Maria!
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