The venerable figure, recognized as the earth's eldest inhabitant, passes away at the age of 117.
The world's oldest individual, as per the Guinness World Records, being Spanish grandmother María Branyas, has bid adieu at the ripe age of 117. Her family reported her demise on Tuesday, stating, "María Branyas is no more with us. She departed peacefully in her slumber, free from any distress or agony."
Before her departure, the family shared a parting message on her behalf, "The hour is near. Please refrain from shedding tears. Tears are not something I relish. And most importantly, do not undergo any hardships on account of my departure. Wherever I go, I will be filled with joy."
Branyas held the title of the world's oldest person, as recognized by the Guinness World Records, for over a year and a half. Born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, USA, she shifted to Spain with her family in 1915. This remarkable woman had been residing in a retirement facility in Olot, northeastern Spain, for almost two decades.
Branyas' daughter attributed her mother's longevity to her strong genetics in an interview last year. On Spanish television, she mentioned, "She never had to be hospitalized, and she never broke a bone." At the age of 113, Branyas managed to overcome a COVID-19 illness.
Following Branyas' passing, American gerontologists acknowledged that the world's oldest living individual is now 116-year-old Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka.
Branyas had celebrated her 117th birthday just a few years ago, marking several milestones in her extraordinary life. Despite her advanced age, she continued to maintain a positive outlook and shared joy in her final years.
