have played a supporting role in her extraordinary lifespan. But before we get to that, it is essential to understand the full picture of what science has learned from Maria’s case.
Who Was Maria Branyas Morera?
Maria Branyas Morera was born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, California, to Spanish parents. Her family later returned to Spain, where she spent the majority of her life. She survived some of the most turbulent events in modern history, including the 1918 flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and
the COVID-19 pandemic. Remarkably, she contracted COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 113 and recovered fully, becoming one of the oldest known survivors of the virus.
Maria spent her final decades living in a nursing home in Olot, Catalonia, where she remained remarkably lucid and engaged with the world around her. She maintained an active presence on social media, where she shared her thoughts on life, health, and happiness with thousands of followers. When she died in August 2024, she left behind a legacy of wisdom and a scientific
