World’s oldest person dies in Brazil at the age of 116 years

London: The world's oldest known person, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 116, according to an obituary from tracking database LongeviQuest and her religious order.

Various news outlets cited the Congregation of Teresian Sisters of Brazil in Porto Alegre as having announced Canabarro's passing in a statement and honored her "for the dedication and devotion" she had shown in life.

Canabarro lived 116 years and 326 days
The LongeviQuest database said that Canabarro had died aged 116 years and 326 days and that with her passing, Ethel Caterham from Surrey in the United Kingdom was now the oldest living person aged 115 and 252 days old.

"Although she claimed her birthdate was 27 May 1908, research determined it was likely 11 days later. As a frail child, many doubted she would survive," LongeviQuest said in an obituary.

"When asked about the secret to her longevity, she attributed it to the Lord, saying that He helped her live these many years. 'He is the secret of life. He is the secret of everything,' she remarked," LongeviQuest said.

Canabarro received a blessing from the late Pope Francis when she celebrated her 110th birthday in 2018. He died merely days before she did, aged 88.

Canabarro took her vows to become a nun in 1934 and worked as a teacher, LongeviQuest said, having visited her in February 2024 when they recognized her as Brazil's oldest living person.

Before Canabarro, the title of world's oldest person belonged to Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman, who died in January 2025.