What if the secret to a long life were hiding in a simple cup of yogurt? Or in a morning smoothie? Or perhaps even more powerful— in a life lived without excess, surrounded by loved ones, and filled with small daily pleasures?

That’s what the fascinating story of Maria Branyas Morera suggests. This Spanish supercentenarian blew out 117 candles with a vitality that has left researchers astonished.

Today, scientists are studying her DNA—and her lifestyle—to understand how she managed not only to live so long, but to live well.

A life as long as it was eventful

Born in the United States in 1907, Maria lived through it all: two world wars, 21 U.S. presidents, and the birth of the digital age. Nothing slowed her down. She settled in Catalonia in 1915 and spent the rest of her life there, surrounded by family, books, and a simple, grounded daily routine.

Before passing away in 2024, Maria made an extraordinary decision: she offered her DNA to researchers to be analyzed. Their mission? To discover how she had defied the natural limits of aging.

What her DNA reveals… and what we can learn from it

The research team led by Dr. Manel Esteller from the University of Barcelona uncovered a remarkable biological profile. At 117 years old, Maria had a biological age that was 10 to 15 years younger than her actual age. This rare result appears to be due to a unique combination of strong genetics and exceptionally healthy lifestyle habits.