The oldest confirmed living individual, a Spanish woman originally from the United States, has passed away at the age of 117 years and 168 days after enduring more than a century and two pandemics.

Maria Branyas Morera’s family announced her passing on X, stating, “She died as she wished, in her sleep, surrounded by peace and without discomfort. We will fondly remember her wisdom and generosity.”

Born on March 4, 1907, in California, Morera had been residing in Spain at the time of her death.

This remarkable woman experienced both the 1918 flu pandemic and the recent COVID pandemic—an accomplishment that many elderly people around the world could not claim.

Prior to the family’s announcement, the Gerontology Research Group, an organization that verifies the ages of supercentenarians, had recognized her as the oldest person currently alive.

“Guinness World Records is saddened to hear of the passing of Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest person, who left us yesterday,” the organization stated on their website.

This U.S.-born woman is the eighth-oldest individual in history whose age has been verified.

‘Smiling, Free, and Content’

Just a few days before her passing, the supercentenarian expressed her feelings of weakness in a social media post.

“My time is approaching. Please don’t cry; I dislike tears. Most importantly, don’t grieve for me. Wherever I may go, I will be happy,” her account noted.

Her family shared that she told them days earlier:

“One day I will leave this place. I won’t drink coffee again or eat yogurt. I will leave my memories and my thoughts and cease to exist in this body. One day, although I cannot say when, this lengthy journey will end. Death may come when I am weary from having lived so long, but I only wish for it to find me smiling, free, and content.”

Who Was the Oldest Person Ever?

Jeanne Calment, from Arles, France, reached nearly 123 years of age.

This French woman holds the record for the longest documented human lifespan at 122 years and 164 days.

Born on February 21, 1875, she passed away on August 4, 1997.

Her extraordinary longevity garnered significant media attention and led to numerous medical studies about her health and lifestyle. She is the only verified individual known to have lived to 120 years or more.

Who Was the Last Known Oldest Person to Pass Away?

Lucile Randon, a French nun known as Sister André, was born in Alès, southern France, and she passed away at the age of 118 just before her 119th birthday.

She was born on February 11, 1904, and passed away on January 17, 2023.

Who Is the World’s Oldest Living Person Now?

The oldest living person currently recognized by the Gerontology Research Group is Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman born on May 23, 1908.

As of Tuesday, she is 116 years and 89 days old and is one of seven known living female supercentenarians over the age of 110 globally, as reported by the group.

There are no men included on the list.