Sad news.

The oldest person in the world, Maria Branyas Morera, passed on yesterday morning aged 117. Her passing was confirmed by several sources including Guinness World Records and a tweet on her official account. She had apparently left the world as she wished, peacefully and pain-free.

As someone who enjoys reading inspiring stories about old people like Maria-san, this news devastated me. I had followed her journey ever since she was recognized as the oldest in the world, and judging by her recent photos, she seemed to be very strong for someone her age. She inspired many people to have a positive view of the world and see the elderly in a new light, bringing lots of valuable advice to people even 8+ decades younger than her.

I genuinely expected her to live several years longer given her overall condition, but as I have learned, these supercentenarians, as they are called (people who are 110+), are treasures of the world. Like any of us, their time here is limited. All of this is to say that I am grateful she lived her final years with as much to share as she did and that she passed away without suffering.

RIP Maria Branyas Morera: 4.3.1907-17.08.2024.