She Survived Two World Wars and COVID-19 - But What Finally Took Her at 117?

Maria Branyas, believed to be the world's oldest person at 117, has passed away peacefully in her sleep, her family announced.

Born in San Francisco in 1907 and later living in Spain, Branyas was recognized as the oldest person by the Gerontology Research Group after the death of French nun Lucile Randon.

She had vivid memories of crossing the Atlantic during World War I and survived COVID-19 at age 113. Known as "Super Catalan Grandma," she lived her final days in a nursing home in Olot, Spain. Before her death, she expressed a sense of contentment and readiness for her life's end.

The next oldest person is Japan's Tomiko Itooka, aged 116.