Dr. Esteller summarized the balance of factors contributing to longevity:
“The clues for extreme longevity are a mix between what we inherited from our parents and what we do in our lives. This mix, the percentage depends, but it can be roughly half and half.”
Her Advice and Legacy
Maria became the world’s oldest person after French nun Sister André passed away on January 17, 2023. She held the title until her death on August 19, 2024, at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Remarkably, she also became the oldest person at the time to recover from COVID-19 in March 2020. She spoke publicly about the treatment of the elderly during the pandemic:
“This pandemic has revealed that older people are the forgotten ones of our society. They fought their whole lives, sacrificed time and their dreams for today’s quality of life. They didn’t deserve to leave the world in this way.”
Maria Branyas Morera lived in Catalonia for most of her life, raising three children and leaving a legacy of 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Through her social media presence and interviews, she shared the habits and principles that she believed contributed to her longevity:
“Order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people.”
Her life demonstrates the powerful combination of strong genetics, healthy living, social connection, and mental resilience. Even something as simple as a daily serving of probiotic yogurt may have contributed to a balanced gut microbiome and overall well-being.
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