Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest living person, marked her 117th birthday today (Tuesday, 05 March 2024), prompting scientists to turn their attention to the Spanish centenarian in hopes of deciphering the secrets to a prolonged life.
Born in San Francisco in 1907 amid the tumultuous second wave of the Bubonic plague, Morera’s life has been a testament to resilience.
In 1915, amidst the backdrop of the First World War, her family made the pivotal decision to return to Spain after her father, Josep, fell gravely ill.
Tragically, he succumbed to tuberculosis during the transatlantic voyage, while Maria herself endured a fall that resulted in hearing loss in one ear.
Despite these early hardships, Morera went on to defy the odds, surviving two world wars, the Spanish flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War, and, most recently, the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her remarkable journey offers a unique opportunity for researchers to delve into the factors contributing to her exceptional longevity.
(el Amigo/MNM/MailOnline UK)