Many people dream of living a long and healthy life, and science is steadily uncovering clues about what makes extreme longevity possible. One of the most extraordinary cases in recent history is that of Maria Branyas Morera, whose life offers remarkable insights into both genetics and lifestyle. A Life Spanning More Than a Century. Maria Branyas Morera was born on March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, United States — seven years before the outbreak of World War I. She lived an extraordinary 117 years, passing away in 2024.Her lifespan spanned more than a century of transformative history, from two world wars and the presidencies of 21 U.S. leaders to sweeping technological advances that reshaped the world. At the age of eight, Maria moved with her family to Catalonia, Spain. The journey was marked by tragedy: her father died from pulmonary tuberculosis during the relocation. Yet Maria went on to live a remarkable and impactful life in her adopted homeland, witnessing decades of social, political, and cultural change.

A Remarkable Request to Science
Before her death, Maria made an extraordinary request: she asked medical researchers to study her DNA to uncover the secrets behind her extraordinary longevity. Hoping her experience could guide future generations, she provided access to tissue samples and agreed to genetic analyses.

A team of Spanish scientists, including researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, undertook the study. Their goal was not only to understand why Maria had lived so long but also why she remained remarkably healthy into her late years.