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Maria BranyasSpanish supercentenarian
Date of Birth: 04.03.1907
Country:  Spain |
Content:
- Early Life and Background
- Family Life and Career
- Record-Breaking Longevity
- Reflections on Change and the Modern World
- Late Years and Legacy
Early Life and Background
María Branyas Morera was born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, to a journalist father from Pamplona and a Catalan mother. In her childhood, her family relocated to New Orleans, where her father founded the magazine Mercurio, successfully catering to Spanish-speaking Americans. However, their return to Spain in 1915 was marred by tragedy when her father succumbed to tuberculosis during the voyage.
Family Life and Career
In 1931, Branyas married Dr. Joan Moret, a physician. During the Spanish Civil War, she worked alongside him as a nurse in a field hospital in Trujillo. Together, they raised three children and went on to have eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. In her later years, Branyas enjoyed traveling and pursued interests such as sewing, music, and reading.
Record-Breaking Longevity
After the passing of Lucille Randon on January 17, 2023, Branyas became the oldest living person on Earth. Recognized by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG), Guinness World Records, and LongeviQuest (LQ), she held this title until her own death on August 19, 2024, at the age of 117 years and 169 days.
Reflections on Change and the Modern World
In an interview with La Vanguardia in 2019, Branyas reflected on the profound technological, social, and societal transformations witnessed during her lifetime. She acknowledged the progress made, particularly in communication, but also expressed a sense of nostalgia for the "more peaceful and happier" times of the early 20th century.
Late Years and Legacy
From 2000, Branyas resided in a nursing home in Olot. In December 2019, she became the oldest person in Spain. In April 2020, she contracted a mild form of COVID-19, showcasing her remarkable resilience. María Branyas Morera passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 19, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of longevity, wisdom, and a profound understanding of the human experience.
