At 115, Spanish great-gran likely to be world’s oldest

Maria Branyas Morera, who lived through the 1918 flu, two world wars, the Spanish civil war and Covid pandemic, is believed to be the oldest person on earth.

Maria Branyas Morera lived through the 1918 flu, two world wars, Spain’s civil war and the recent Covid pandemic.

A Spanish great-grandmother who was born in the US is likely to be the world’s oldest living person at the age of 115.

Maria Branyas Morera is ­believed to have assumed the title following the death on Tuesday of French nun Lucile Randon aged 118, said Guinness World Records senior consultant for gerontology Robert D. Young.

Guinness World Records must still make the official decision after carrying out document checks and interviewing Branyas Morera’s family, added Dr Young. “We know what is likely, but it’s not confirmed at this time,” he said.

Ms Branyas Morera, who has lived through the 1918 flu, two world wars and Spain’s civil war, has spent the past two decades at the Santa Maria del Tura nursing home in the town of Olot in northeastern Spain.

“She is in good health and ­remains surprised and grateful for the interest that has been generated,” the home said.

Branyas Morera was born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907 shortly after her family moved to the US from Mexico.

The entire family decided to return to their native Spain in 1915 as World War I was under way, which complicated the ship voyage across the Atlantic.

The crossing was also marked by tragedy – her father died from tuberculosis towards the end of the voyage.

AFP