117-Year-Old Grandmother Shares Secret to Longevity: "Stay Away from Harmful People"

Emotional Stability and Serenity Cited as Secrets to Longevity

The world's oldest grandmother is making headlines as she celebrates her 117th birthday.

The Guinness World Records announced on the 4th (local time) that Maria Branyas Morera, the world's oldest person, has turned 117. She was named the world's oldest living person this January after Lucile Randon, an 118-year-old French woman, passed away last year.

Maria Branyas Morera, the world's oldest person. [Image source=Guinness World Records website]

Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, USA, she moved with her family to the Catalonia region of Spain in 1915 when she was 8 years old. She still resides in the Catalonia region and has been living in the same nursing home for 23 years. Eva Carrera Boyes, the director of the nursing home, said, "Many people have shown great interest in Maria's health condition, and she is very grateful for that attention." She added, "She is happy to celebrate this special day with her family and colleagues, and hopes everyone has a happy Monday."

Aside from difficulties in mobility due to hearing impairment and aging, which she has had since childhood, Maria reportedly has no major physical or mental issues. Scientist Manel Estela, who has had long conversations with Maria, told the Spanish media ABC, "She remembers an event from when she was 4 years old with astonishing clarity, and she has not shown signs of cardiovascular diseases commonly found in the elderly." He added, "There are several family members over 90 years old, so there is clearly a genetic factor."

Maria cites order, tranquility, good relationships with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, not worrying, and staying away from harmful people as secrets to her longevity, in addition to luck and genetic traits.

Maria Bra?as Morera in her youth. [Image source=Social Networking Service X]

With the help of her daughter, Maria is also active on the social networking service X (formerly Twitter). Last month, she posted on X, "I am getting closer and closer to death." However, she still maintains a positive outlook on life and believes there is something to learn every day, even in old age.

Maria has been confirmed as the 12th oldest person in history. The currently verified oldest person was Jeanne Calment from France, who lived to be 122 years old.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.