World's oldest person, a woman born in California, dies 'happy' at 117

The world's oldest known living person , a Spanish woman born in the United States who survived well over a century and two pandemics, has died at age 117 and 168 days.

"Maria Branyas(Morera) has left us. She died as she wished: in her sleep, peacefully and without pain," her family, who runs her social media account, posted Tuesday on X. "We will always remember her for her advice and kindness."

Born in California on March 4, 1907, Morera lived in Spain at the time of her death.

The supercentenarian lived through the 1918 flu pandemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gerontology Research Group, which validates details of people thought to be 110 or older, had listed her as the oldest known person in the world.

"Guinness World Records is saddened to learn that the world’s oldest person, Maria Branyas Morera ... passed away yesterday," Guinness posted on its website Tuesday.

She was the eighth-oldest person with a verifiable age in history.

Ex-NFL player arrested: Former football player accused of urinating on fellow passenger on Dublin flight issues apology

'Smiling, free and satisfied'

Just days before her death, the supercentenarian, who lived in the town of Olot in northeastern Spain, had warned in a post that she felt "weak."

"The time is near. Don't cry, I don't like tears. And above all, don't suffer for me. Wherever I go, I will be happy," a post on her account reads.

According to the family's post, several days ago Morera told them this:

"One day I will leave here. I will not try coffee again, nor eat yogurt ... I will also leave my memories, my reflections and I will cease to exist in this body. One day I don't know, but it's very close, this long journey will be over. Death will find me worn out from having lived so long, but I want it to find me smiling, free and satisfied.”

Who was the oldest known person ever?

Jeanne Calment of Arles, France , lived to nearly 123.

A French supercentenarian and the oldest human whose age is documented, Calment lived 122 years and 164 days.

Born Feb. 21, 1875, she died Aug. 4, 1997.

Her longevity attracted media attention and medical studies of her health and how she lived. She is the only person verified to have lived to 120 and beyond.

Who was the last known oldest person to die?

France's Lucile Randon , a nun known as Sister André, was born in the town of Ales in southern France and died at 118 last year shortly before her 119th birthday.

She was born Feb. 11, 1904 and died Jan. 17, 2023.

Who is the world's oldest living person now?

The oldest living known person in the world listed by the Gerontology Research Group is now Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman born on May 23, 1908.

As of Tuesday, she was 116 and 89 days old and was among seven known female living supercentenarians over age 110 across the world, the group reported.

No men were on the list.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World's oldest person, a woman born in California, dies 'happy' at 117