How Old Is The Oldest Living Person On Earth

Okay, let’s talk about the oldest person alive. You know, the human who’s been around longer than most sofa sets and definitely longer than your favorite throw blanket. Who is this person, and how old are they, really?

Well, as of right now, the title of oldest living person belongs to a woman named Maria Branyas. She’s from Spain, and let me tell you, she’s not just old. She’s super old—like, “I remember when the radio was the hottest gadget” old.

Maria is currently 117 years old. Yes, you read that right. One hundred and seventeen. That’s not a typo. That’s a whole century plus seventeen extra laps around the sun.

But wait—before you start feeling like a spring chicken, remember that records are fragile. The Guinness World Records folks keep a very close eye on this stuff. They literally have a team of geriatric detectives verifying birth certificates and old photos.

Who was the oldest person ever?

If Maria sounds ancient, hold your horses. The all-time record belongs to a French woman named Jeanne Calment. She lived to be a mind-boggling 122 years old. She even met Vincent van Gogh as a teenager! (Spoiler: she said he smelled like booze.)

Jeanne smoked cigarettes until she was 117. I’m not saying that’s a longevity tip—please don’t start smoking. But it does make you wonder: what’s her secret? She also ate a lot of chocolate and drank port wine. Maybe the secret is just “enjoy things and confuse everyone.”

How do we even know for sure?

You might be thinking, “Great, but couldn’t someone just lie about their age?” Totally valid question. That’s why scientists use a process called age verification. They check census records, church documents, family letters—anything that proves you didn’t just hit a wrong key on your birthday.

What Is The Age Of Oldest Living Person On Earth - The Earth Images

In some cases, they even look at your DNA to estimate your biological age. It’s not as fun as a party trick, but it’s way more accurate than your grandpa saying, “I’m 99, give or take a few.”

What’s it like to be 117?

Honestly? Probably a lot of naps. Maria Branyas reportedly has a great memory and still cracks jokes. She’s survived two world wars, the Spanish flu, and a pandemic. Talk about a tough cookie, right?

She lives in a nursing home, uses a walker, and spends a lot of time talking to family on video calls. She says the key to longevity is “order, tranquility, and staying away from toxic people.” Honestly, that’s solid advice for anyone under 117, too.

Fun fact: Maria caught COVID-19 in 2020 and recovered just fine. The virus was like, “Nope, not today, not with this one.” She’s basically a superhero with gray hair and a shuffling gait.

Oldest Person In The World Still Alive - Infoupdate.org

Is anyone close to beating her record?

Good question. Right now, the second-oldest known living person is 117 years old as well—but a few months younger. Her name is Edie Ceccarelli, and she lives in California. Two 117-year-old women on Earth at the same time. That’s almost statistically impossible, but here we are.

Edie turned 117 in February 2024. She’s American, which makes her the oldest person in the United States. So if you’re American, you can brag that we have one of the “ancients” right here.

Why do women live longer than men?

Every single one of the top ten oldest people ever is a woman. Coincidence? Probably not. Scientists think it’s a mix of biology and lifestyle. Women tend to have stronger immune systems and less risky behavior (fewer wars, less heavy drinking, and not as many dumb stunts involving skateboards).

Men, on the other hand: we’re out here eating raw eggs and arguing about directions. It’s no wonder the oldest man alive right now is just 113 years old. His name is Juan Vicente Pérez from Venezuela. He’s a legend, but he’s still a full four years behind Maria.

World's oldest living man: 'No special secret to long life'

Can you become the next oldest person?

Technically, yes. But statistically? No, probably not. The odds of reaching 110 are about one in a million. Reaching 117 is like winning the lottery twice while getting struck by lightning—on a Tuesday.

But hey, you can try. Eat your vegetables, avoid stress, and maybe take up knitting. Oh, and don’t forget to verify your birth certificate every few decades. You know, just in case someone from Guinness shows up at your door.

The bottom line

The oldest living person on Earth is Maria Branyas, age 117. She’s a Spanish supercentenarian who’s seen more history than most textbooks. She’s proof that the human body can sometimes just… keep going. Like that one lamp in your basement that never dies.

Will someone break her record? Maybe. But right now, she’s the queen of the age mountain. And honestly? I hope she’s enjoying a nice glass of wine right now. She’s earned it.

So, next time you complain about turning 30, remember Maria. You’ve got at least 87 more years to go. Better start taking notes.