Study on world’s oldest woman reveals secrets to long life

A new scientific study has revealed key details about Maria Branyas Morera, the world’s oldest woman until her death in August 2024 at age 117.

Researchers examined her genes, gut bacteria, and lifestyle choices to understand how she maintained her health well beyond a typical lifespan. The study found that Branyas’ biology remained unusually youthful, with her cells functioning as if she were up to 17 years younger than her actual age.

A team led by Professor Manel Esteller at the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute in Spain analyzed blood, urine, saliva, and stool samples from Branyas in the final year of her life.

Their findings, released in February 2025 on the preprint server bioRxiv, have not yet been peer-reviewed but offer rare insights into what may help the human body resist aging. “Her cells still feel like they were centenarian cells,” Esteller told Live Science.

World’s oldest woman had rare genetic traits, healthy immune system

Branyas was born in San Francisco in 1907 and lived in Texas and Louisiana before moving to Spain in 1915. At the time of her death, she had spent more than 20 years in a nursing home in Olot, Catalonia.

Despite her age, she stayed mentally sharp and physically stable, experiencing only hearing loss and joint pain. She even recovered from COVID-19 in 2020 without symptoms.

The research team found that the world’s oldest woman carried rare genetic variants not detected in other European populations. These variants were associated with better immune response, lower risk of cancer, improved lung function, and protection from heart disease.

The scientists compared her DNA to that of 75 Iberian women from the 1000 Genomes Project and detected seven unique gene versions that may have helped her avoid common age-related illnesses.

Her cells also showed efficient mitochondrial activity, meaning her body generated energy at a level that surpassed many younger individuals. The researchers also recorded high levels of proteins supporting immune function and excellent cholesterol levels—with low “bad” cholesterol and high “good” cholesterol.

“Maybe we can think about interventions now,” Esteller said, referring to the possibility of using similar biological markers to develop treatments for aging-related diseases.

Gut health reveals youthful microbiome, anti-inflammatory bacteria

The world’s oldest woman’ gut microbiome appeared to be another factor in her unusual longevity. Her stool samples showed high levels of “Bifidobacterium”, a bacteria genus known for reducing inflammation.

This bacterial group normally declines with age, but it remained abundant in Branyas’ system.

The researchers linked this to her daily diet, which included three yogurts. Fermented foods like yogurt help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

She had this bacteria in the gut that protected against inflammation. She had this bacteria in the gut that protected against inflammation. She had this bacteria for two reasons. The genome was very welcoming of the population, but (it was) also due to her food.

Esteller explained

Her gut resembled that of someone much younger, even a child. This “anti-inflammatory” microbiome supported cognition, intestinal health, and immune function, helping the world’s oldest woman avoid many of the common health issues associated with old age.

DNA methylation shows oldest woman’s biological age was 10-17 years younger

One of the most striking findings from the study was Branyas’ DNA methylation profile. Methylation refers to chemical changes to DNA that affect gene expression and can serve as a biological clock. Her methylation levels suggested a biological age of between 100 and 110 years, significantly younger than her actual age of 117.

The study found this result consistently across three different types of tissue, including blood and immune cells. This younger biological profile supported the idea that her aging process was slower and healthier than most.

Although her telomeres—the protective ends of DNA strands—were nearly gone, which is typical in very old age, the overall cellular profile of the world’s oldest woman remained unusually youthful.

Secret of oldest woman’s longevity: Order, family, avoiding stress

Branyas often spoke about the importance of mental health and emotional well-being. She believed staying positive and maintaining close relationships helped her live longer. In one of her last public messages, she said:

Order, tranquility, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity and staying away from toxic people.

She avoided alcohol and smoking, followed a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and yogurt, and took daily walks.

These habits matched many known factors that help reduce the risk of chronic disease and mental decline. “I think longevity is also being lucky,” she added. “Luck and good genetics.”

The world’s oldest woman Branyas was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She passed away in her sleep on Aug. 19, 2024.

Questions remain about age validation in supercentenarian research

The study has received attention for its comprehensive biological data, but some researchers remain cautious about relying on supercentenarian cases to draw conclusions. Verifying extreme ages remains a challenge in longevity research, especially in cases where birth records are incomplete or inconsistent.

Saul Newman, a researcher at the Oxford Institution of Population Aging, questioned the accuracy of some old-age claims. He pointed out that regions with high numbers of reported supercentenarians often have poor record-keeping. These areas may also face economic pressures that could lead to inflated ages for pension eligibility.

The world’s oldest woman, Maria Branyas Morera, was born just under two years after California introduced statewide birth certificates in 1905. The research team used age verification from Guinness World Records and other organizations but did not access her original documents directly.

Despite these uncertainties, Esteller emphasized that Branyas’ biological data still offers valuable information.

For the first time you have biomarkers that can tell you your age, but other biomarkers that can tell you your pathology. And these are two different things.

Brazil’s Inah Canabarro Lucas, aged 116, holds the title of the world’s oldest living person as of March 2025, according to the LongeviQuest database.