World’s Oldest Person Maria Branyas Passes Away In Spain: Who Was She?

The world's oldest living person Maria Branyas passed away at the age of 117 on Tuesday in Spain. The news of her death was formally announced on her social media account.

In January 2023, the Guinness World Records had declared her the world's oldest living person.

"Maria Branyas has left us. She has died as she wanted: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain," the message posted on her social media post read. It has to be noted that her daughter manages the account. Her bio on X reads "I am old, very old, but I'm not an idiot."

Fa uns dies, vaig rebre la visita del Dr. Manel Esteller @ManelEsteller, acompanyant al Sr. Robert Young, Director del GRG, i la investigadora Natalie Coles, de Califòrnia. Investiguen en el camp de la gerontologia, la longevitat i l’envelliment humà. 👇 pic.twitter.com/Y6rpGplsqK

— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) May 28, 2023

Maria Branyas had sensed her end was near earlier this week, sharing on social media, "I feel weak. The time is coming. Don't cry, I don't like tears....You know me, wherever I go, I will be happy."

Branyas had credited her longevity to "order, tranquillity, good connections with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people."

El passat mes d’agost em vaig acomiadar de la Fada, pensant que ja no la veuria més. Ella havia de ser mare i jo pensava que no viuria tants mesos. Però aquí estem una altra estona juntes. És reconfortant acariciar el seu pèl amb els meus dits torts i gastats. Ella, com tots 👇 pic.twitter.com/L5OafzuXGm

— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) March 31, 2024

At the age of 117, Branyas was recognized by Guinness World Records as the 12th-oldest verified person in history, with Jeanne Calment holding the record at 122 years and 164 days.

amb una sola plana despart, un tros de tela per embolicar els peus i unes vetes per poder fer el nus. Eren molt còmodes i el millor de tot: el tracte, l’atenció, el servei. Podíem anar a canviar les vetes per altres colors i això les feien útils per diferents esdeveniments. 👇 pic.twitter.com/LwTLnMXa5c

— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) March 25, 2024

In her final days, her account quoted her as saying, "One day I don't know, but it's very close, this long journey will be over. Death will find me worn out from having lived so long, but I want it to find me smiling, free, and satisfied."

em transmet alegria, pau i benestar. Malauradament, la seva presència, les seves vibracions, la seva connexió emocional, s’ acaba. Avui li he dit: “Adéu. Ens veiem quan el destí tingui ganes dajuntar-nos. Mentrestant sigues feliç i fes feliç als que t’envolten”. pic.twitter.com/kltKg3EvWM

— Super Àvia Catalana (@MariaBranyas112) August 16, 2023

She had seen two world wars and was a witness to many historical events of the world.