For generations, people have searched for the secret to living a long, healthy life — that rare combination of habits, mindset, and biology that allows a few to outlive the rest. Scientists who studied the DNA of one extraordinary woman who reached 117 believe they may have found part of that answer. Her name was Maria Branyas Morera, and her story blends science, simplicity, and a quiet kind of wisdom.
Maria’s life spanned three centuries. Born in San Francisco in 1907, she lived through two world wars, the invention of television, the space race, and the digital revolution. When she was eight, her family moved to Catalonia, Spain, hoping for a fresh start. But soon after arriving, her father died of illness — a painful loss that shaped her resilience and outlook.
As she grew, Maria became known for her calm, curious nature and deep gratitude for life. By her thirties, she was married, raising children, and well-loved in her community for her kindness and practical wisdom. Even in her old age, she stayed sharp — reading, journaling, and discussing philosophy and politics. When asked for her secret to longevity, she used to laugh and say, “Don’t die before your time.” Behind the humor was a philosophy centered on peace, moderation, and joy.
Before she passed in 2024, Maria made a generous decision — she allowed scientists to study her DNA to help others understand aging better. Researchers from the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute found something remarkable. Her body seemed to resist the usual signs of aging.
Dr. Manel Esteller, who led the study, explained that Maria’s genetic makeup revealed “a separation between being old and being sick.” Her cholesterol, inflammation, and cell function looked more like those of someone decades younger. Her immune system, in particular, was unusually strong and well-preserved, which may have helped her remain healthy and active even past a hundred.
But her longevity wasn’t just in her genes — her lifestyle mattered too. Maria never smoked, rarely drank, and made movement part of her daily life. Even in her hundreds, she walked every day, believing it cleared her mind and kept her spirit light. She surrounded herself with love and laughter, often reminding her family that “forgiveness and humor are the best medicine.”
One small detail stood out to the scientists: her lifelong love for yogurt. Every morning, she ate a serving of La Fageda, a local Catalonian brand made with natural ingredients and rich in probiotics. To her, it was simply something that kept her digestion in check. To scientists, it may have been part of what kept her body in balance.
Probiotic foods like yogurt nourish the gut microbiome — the collection of bacteria that supports immunity, mood, and energy. Combined with her Mediterranean diet full of vegetables, olive oil, fruits, and fish, Maria’s meals likely supported her body’s natural defenses.
Her mornings began with a homemade cereal smoothie made from grains, milk, and honey — a nutrient-rich drink that gave her steady energy. “She nourished herself like someone ahead of her time,” Dr. Esteller said.
Further genetic analysis revealed that her telomeres — the protective ends of chromosomes that shorten with age — were unusually long and intact. This meant her cells stayed healthy and regenerative even late in life. Scientists believe her calm nature, low stress, strong family connections, and balanced habits all contributed to preserving her vitality.
Dr. Esteller summed it up simply: “The secret to long life is half inherited and half created.”
In her later years, Maria became affectionately known as “The Super Grandmother of Catalonia.” She shared reflections online, encouraging others to live mindfully and with gratitude. “Don’t chase youth,” she once said. “Chase peace.”
Her legacy now lives on through science and memory. The study of her genome is helping researchers explore how genes, diet, and emotional health interact to shape human longevity. But beyond biology, Maria’s example offers something deeper — a reminder that a long life isn’t just about years, but about how those years are lived.
Those closest to her remember her happiest moments in her garden, tending flowers in the morning light with a bowl of yogurt nearby. Even in her final years, she began each day with a smile. “She never complained,” her granddaughter said. “She always saw life as a gift.”
In a world obsessed with shortcuts and miracle cures, Maria Branyas Morera’s story stands as quiet proof that the real secret to longevity isn’t magic or money — it’s the daily choice to live with love, balance, and gratitude.