Maria Branyas, the oldest person in the world, is participating in a scientific study to find out what lies behind her longevity. Researchers point to privileged genetics and positive habits.
When asked about her secret to longevity, 117-year-old Maria Branyas from San Francisco dismisses the question, saying she did nothing special to achieve her age. Branyas, considered the world’s oldest person, lives in a retirement home in Olot, Girona. A simple birthday celebration was held for her recently, with family visits divided into groups to not overwhelm her. Her daughter, Rosa Moret, 80, mentions that Branyas has been feeling low and is slowly fading, but is still aware of her surroundings. In January 2023, after the death of 118-year- old Lucile Randon from France, Branyas became the oldest living woman on Earth at 115. This brought a lot of media attention, including a visit from the president of the Generalitat, Pere Aragonès, and a tribute from the city of San Francisco. However, the family has since decided to limit visits due to her condition. In spring 2023, cancer expert Manel Esteller contacted the retirement home to study the cells of the supercentenarian. Although the results are not yet final, Esteller has found that Branyas’s cells are about 10 years younger than her chronological age, which he attributes to her having good genes and and maintaining healthy habits. Branyas’s family tree reveals a higher than average number of people in their 80s and 90s. Her daughter Rosa recalls a normal family life with her mother mostly at home, living a stress–free life. Branyas overcame COVID-19 and the lockdowns nearly four years ago and has faced numerous adversities in her life, making her a survivor. Spain is the fifth country in the world with the highest life expectancy, behind Japan, Switzerland, Korea, and Singapore. Branyas’s reflective and grateful attitude fits the psychological profile of supercentenarians who know how to enjoy the details and live positive emotions. These psychological factors, along with genetics, diet, and physical activity, contribute to longevity.
