Maria Branyas Morera was a Spanish supercentenarian who lived an extraordinary life, reaching the remarkable age of 117 before passing away in 2024. Her long life spanned some of the most transformative moments in human history, including two world wars, the terms of 21 American presidents, and a technological revolution that reshaped the world from the time of her birth.
Born in the United States in 1907, Maria moved to Catalonia, Spain, in 1915, where she would spend the rest of her life. Over more than a century, she witnessed the evolution of society, medicine, and technology—from horse-drawn carriages and handwritten letters to electric cars and artificial intelligence.
In the final years of her life, Maria expressed a noble wish: she wanted doctors to study her DNA in hopes that understanding her unique biology might help others live longer, healthier lives. This request inspired a groundbreaking scientific study led by researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute.
According to a report by The Mirror, the team collected biological samples from Maria and analyzed her cells, genetic structure, and overall health markers. Their aim was to determine what made her not only live so long but remain remarkably healthy well into old age.
Speaking to The Times, Dr. Manel Esteller, the principal investigator, said, “The common rule is that as we age, we become sicker. But Maria was an exception, and we wanted to understand why. For the first time, we’ve been able to separate being old from being sick.”
Dr. Esteller continued: “We can now envision developing treatments that replicate the benefits of having ‘good genes.’ Maria’s parents gifted her with excellent genetics, but since we can’t choose our parents, we must look at ways to mimic these effects through science.”
