World's Oldest Person Maria Branyas Dies at 117

Maria Branyas, an American-born Spaniard and the world's oldest person at 117 years old, has passed away peacefully in her sleep. Her family confirmed her death on her X account, 'Super Catalan Grandma.' Branyas was born in San Francisco but spent her later years in Olot, Spain.

Maria Branyas, recognized as the world's oldest person at 117, has died, her family confirmed on Tuesday.

In a post shared on Branyas' X account, the family announced in Catalan, 'Maria Branyas has left us. She has gone the way she wanted: in her sleep, at peace, and without pain.' Branyas was formally listed as the world's oldest known person by the Gerontology Research Group following the death of French nun Lucile Randon last year.

Born in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, Branyas moved back to Spain with her family during her childhood. At the time of her passing, she resided in a nursing home in Olot, Catalonia. Her social media presence was under the handle 'Super Catalan Grandma,' noted for its tagline, 'I am old, very old, but not an idiot.' Japan's Tomiko Itooka, aged 116, is now the world's oldest person according to the Gerontology Research Group.