Maria Branyas Morera, a Spanish supercentenarian, lived to the extraordinary age of 117 years and 168 days before passing away last year, earning a place among the longest-living people ever reliably documented. Born in the United States in 1907, Maria moved with her family to Catalonia in 1915, where she spent the remainder of her life. Quiet and humble, she built a life centered around family, community, and simple pleasures, all while witnessing the transformation of the world around her. Her remarkable longevity and the serene nature of her life quietly attracted scientific attention, as researchers sought to uncover the factors behind her exceptional lifespan. From her earliest days, Maria demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a gentle demeanor, traits that would continue to define her well into her extraordinary years.

Throughout her 117-year life, Maria witnessed nearly the full arc of modern history. She lived through two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, multiple economic depressions, the space age, and the rise of the digital revolution. She also observed the terms of twenty-one United States presidents, experiencing firsthand the dramatic political, social, and technological shifts that shaped the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The world of her childhood, filled with horse-drawn carriages and handwritten letters, transformed into a world dominated by satellites, smartphones, and artificial intelligence. Despite such massive changes, those who knew her described Maria as gentle, humorous, and deeply grounded—a constant presence of calm and positivity amidst rapid societal change. Her perspective, shaped by a century of experience, reflected wisdom, resilience, and a remarkable ability to adapt while maintaining her values.

As Maria’s age advanced beyond what most doctors typically encounter, her longevity drew the attention of scientists worldwide. Before her death, she expressed a clear wish for researchers to study her body and DNA, hoping that her case might provide insights to help others live longer, healthier lives. Responding to her request, scientists from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute launched a comprehensive study, collecting blood, tissue, and cellular samples. Their analysis focused on Maria’s genetics, metabolism, immune system, and overall biological health. The research aimed not only to understand her unusual lifespan but also to explore how the interplay of biology, environment, and lifestyle could offer broader lessons about human longevity.

Dr. Manel Esteller, the lead investigator, emphasized that Maria’s life challenged conventional notions of aging. Typically, increasing age is accompanied by a rise in disease, disability, and physiological decline. Maria, however, defied this pattern, maintaining remarkable health even in the later decades of her life. Dr. Esteller described her case as a unique example where aging could be distinguished from illness, demonstrating that chronological age does not necessarily dictate biological frailty. While her genetics played a significant role, the research team suggested that understanding her protective traits could eventually inform future medical therapies, potentially allowing doctors to replicate some of the benefits of her resilient biology in other patients.

One striking finding of the study was the contrast between Maria’s chronological and biological ages. Though she had lived for 117 years, her biological profile resembled that of someone between 100 and 105 years old. Her cardiovascular system, in particular, appeared decades younger, with extremely low levels of harmful cholesterol and triglycerides and unusually high levels of beneficial cholesterol. In addition to genetics, Maria’s lifestyle habits contributed to her remarkable health. She avoided alcohol and smoking, maintained regular physical activity, and prioritized emotional well-being. Social engagement was equally important to her, as she surrounded herself with family, friends, and neighbors, believing that laughter, companionship, and a sense of purpose were essential to a long, fulfilling life.

Diet was another notable component of Maria’s daily routine. She consumed a homemade smoothie each morning containing eight different grains, a practice she followed for decades. Additionally, she was a devoted consumer of La Fageda yogurt, a probiotic product that she believed supported her health. Scientists studying her microbiome noted that the beneficial bacteria present in this yogurt may have helped regulate inflammation and strengthen her immune response, contributing to her resistance against illness. Moreover, the research revealed unusual properties of her telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes that typically shorten with age. In Maria’s case, her telomeres appeared to act protectively, limiting cancer cell growth and potentially preventing certain diseases, further illustrating how biology and lifestyle combined to maintain her exceptional health.

Maria Branyas Morera’s life offers more than just a record of longevity; it provides valuable insights into how genetics, daily habits, emotional balance, and social connection can interact to shape human life span. Her example underscores the complexity of aging, demonstrating that a combination of inherited traits and lifestyle choices can result in a long, healthy life. Beyond her personal achievements, her legacy continues through ongoing research, which aims to translate lessons from her extraordinary life into medical knowledge that could benefit countless others. As scientists study her biology and habits, Maria’s life remains a testament to the potential for resilience, vitality, and joy throughout the human lifespan, inspiring both the scientific community and the public alike.