Maria Branyas, who was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person in January 2023, has died peacefully at the age of 117, according to Al Jazeera.
A spokesperson for the Spanish nursing home where she died and her official social media account said on Tuesday that Branyas died in her sleep.
“Maria Branyas has left us. She has died as she wanted: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain,” her social media account, managed by her daughter, announced.
Earlier this week, Branyas had acknowledged that her time was nearing. In a social media post, she shared, “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.”
Born in San Francisco, California, on March 4, 1907, Branyas moved to Catalonia, Spain, with her family at the age of seven.
She lived through significant historical events, including the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), both World Wars, and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Branyas attributed her longevity to a life of “order, tranquility, strong connections with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, a positive outlook, and avoiding toxic people.”
When she celebrated her 117th birthday, Guinness World Records recognized Branyas as the 12th-oldest verified person in recorded history. The record for the oldest person ever is held by Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old.
In a post several days ago, Branyas said, “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.”
Several days ago, John Farringdon, also recognized as one of the longest-lived men in the world, died “peacefully” at the age of 111 in Cubbington Mill Care Home of Leamington Spa, located in Warwickshire, England.
Born in 1912, Farrindon was the third oldest man in the world. Farringdon celebrated his 111th anniversary on June 7, 2024.