Reaching the age of 117 is an extraordinary biological achievement reached by fewer than 30 people in validated history. As of 2026, these "supercentenarians"—specifically women like Maria Branyas Morera and Tomiko Itooka—serve as the primary subjects for longevity research, offering scientists rare data on genetic resilience, the upper limits of human aging, and the intersection of lifestyle and biology.
The Milestone of 117: A Rare Biological Frontier
In the field of gerontology, a centenarian is someone who has reached the age of 100. A supercentenarian is someone who has reached 110. However, the jump from 110 to 117 represents a survival curve that is incredibly steep. Statistically, the mortality rate for individuals over 110 is approximately 50% per year. To reach 117, an individual must essentially "win the genetic lottery" every year for seven consecutive years after already surviving a century.
As of early 2026, the scientific community continues to analyze the data left by Maria Branyas Morera, who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 117 years and 168 days. Following her, Tomiko Itooka of Japan (born May 23, 1908) became the focal point of global longevity tracking. These women do not just represent numbers; they represent the "survivor bias" in its most extreme form, providing a living (or recently living) blueprint of how the human body can resist the standard diseases of aging, such as cancer, cardiovascular decay, and neurodegeneration.
The Verification Process: How a 117-Year-Old is Authenticated
The verification of a 117-year-old woman is a rigorous forensic process. It is not enough to simply have a family claim or a modern ID card. Because birth registration was inconsistent in the early 1900s, specialized organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records require a "three-document" standard of proof to prevent age inflation and fraud.
1. Primary Birth Evidence
The researcher must locate a document created within the first 20 years of the person's life. This is typically a birth certificate, a baptismal record, or a primary school registration. For women born in 1907 or 1908, these records are often found in hand-written church ledgers or early municipal archives.
2. Mid-Life Progression
Researchers track the individual through census records, marriage certificates, or military records (for men) to ensure there is a "paper trail" showing a consistent aging process. This prevents "identity theft" cases where a younger sibling might have assumed the identity of a deceased older sibling.
3. Late-Life Identification
A current government-issued ID or a death certificate (if applicable) must match the early records. The names must be reconciled, which is often difficult for women due to surname changes upon marriage. Forensic genealogists spend hundreds of hours tracing these lineages to ensure that when a woman is declared 117, the claim is mathematically and historically certain.
Profiles in Extreme Longevity: Maria Branyas Morera
Maria Branyas Morera, a Spanish woman born in San Francisco in 1907, became a global sensation not just for her age, but for her mental clarity and willingness to participate in science. Her life spanned the most transformative century in human history.
Historical Context of Her Life:
- Early Childhood: Born when the Wright brothers were still refining the airplane.
- Survival: She survived the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and World War II.
- Modern Resilience: In 2020, at the age of 113, she became one of the oldest people to survive a COVID-19 infection.
What made Branyas particularly significant to researchers was her DNA. Dr. Manel Esteller, a leading geneticist, collected samples from her to study why her "biological age" was significantly lower than her chronological age. Despite being 117, her cognitive function remained remarkably high, and she suffered from none of the typical chronic illnesses that plague the elderly. Her secret, as she often stated, was "order, tranquility, and staying away from toxic people," though she admitted that genetics played the primary role.
The Successor: Tomiko Itooka
Following the death of Maria Branyas Morera in 2024, Tomiko Itooka of Japan was recognized as the world's oldest living person. Born in May 1908, Itooka represents the Japanese "Super-Longevity" phenomenon. Unlike many supercentenarians who were sedentary in their later years, Itooka was an avid mountaineer well into her 70s and 80s. She famously climbed Mount Ontake twice, once while wearing sneakers instead of hiking boots.
Her case highlights a recurring theme in the 117-year-old demographic: Physical Resilience. Many of these women did not just "survive" to 117; they were exceptionally robust during their 70s, 80s, and 90s. This suggests that the foundation for reaching 110+ is laid through high physical activity and bone density during middle and early-old age.
Comparative Data: The "117 Club"
Only a very small group of women have reached or exceeded the age of 117 with full verification. The table below compares these individuals to provide context on the extreme rarity of this milestone.
| Name | Nationality | Birth Date | Death Date (or Current Status) | Final Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanne Calment | France | Feb 21, 1875 | Aug 4, 1997 | 122y, 164d |
| Kane Tanaka | Japan | Jan 2, 1903 | Apr 19, 2022 | 119y, 107d |
| Sarah Knauss | USA | Sep 24, 1880 | Dec 30, 1999 | 119y, 97d |
| Lucile Randon | France | Feb 11, 1904 | Jan 17, 2023 | 118y, 340d |
| Maria Branyas Morera | Spain | Mar 4, 1907 | Aug 19, 2024 | 117y, 168d |
| Emma Morano | Italy | Nov 29, 1899 | Apr 15, 2017 | 117y, 137d |
| Tomiko Itooka | Japan | May 23, 1908 | Alive as of 2026 | 117y+ |
Note: Data sourced from the Gerontology Research Group and verified historical records.
The Science of Longevity: Why Women?
It is no coincidence that the list of 117-year-olds is dominated by women. Approximately 95% of supercentenarians are female. Scientists point to several biological and social factors that explain this disparity:
Genetic Protection (The X-Chromosome)
Women have two X chromosomes, whereas men have one X and one Y. If a mutation occurs on one X chromosome, women have a "backup" that can mitigate the damage. Men do not have this luxury. Furthermore, the X chromosome contains several genes related to immune system regulation.
Estrogen and Heart Health
Estrogen has been shown to have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease by helping to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. While this protection wanes after menopause, the foundational health built during the first 50 years of life often carries women further into their second century.
Lower Metabolic Rate
Historically, women often have lower basal metabolic rates than men. Some theories of aging (the "Rate of Living" theory) suggest that lower metabolic rates result in less oxidative stress and less damage to cellular structures over time.
Lifestyle vs. Genetics: The 20/80 Rule
Gerontologists generally agree that for a person to reach 85, lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking status) is about 70-80% of the equation. However, to reach 117, the ratio flips. At this extreme age, genetics accounts for roughly 80% of the outcome.
Most 117-year-olds do not follow "perfect" health diets. For example:
- Jeanne Calment smoked until she was 117 and consumed large amounts of chocolate and olive oil.
- Emma Morano ate two raw eggs every day for nearly 90 years.
- Maria Branyas Morera credited yogurt and "good luck."
The commonality is not a specific food, but rather the absence of the APOE4 gene (linked to Alzheimer's) and the presence of protective variants in the FOXO3 gene, often called the "Longevity Gene." These genetic markers allow these women to survive lifestyle choices that would be detrimental to others.
Common Challenges in Studying the 117-Year-Old Demographic
Researching these individuals in 2026 presents unique challenges. Because they are so rare, the sample size is too small for traditional clinical trials. Instead, scientists use "n-of-1" studies, where an individual's entire genome is sequenced and their blood chemistry is monitored in real-time.
- Fragility: While they are resilient for their age, a minor fall or a respiratory infection can be fatal. This makes invasive testing impossible.
- Sensory Loss: Most 117-year-olds suffer from significant hearing or vision loss, making cognitive testing difficult to administer fairly.
- Ethical Considerations: Researchers must balance the need for scientific data with the comfort and privacy of the individual, who is often a national treasure in their home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to reach 117 without "good" genes?
Current evidence suggests it is nearly impossible. While a healthy lifestyle can help you reach 90 or even 100, the survival from 110 to 117 requires specific genetic polymorphisms that protect cells from the natural process of senescence (cellular aging).
What is the "limit" of human longevity?
Most scientists believe the biological limit of the human body is around 120 to 125 years. Jeanne Calment's record of 122 years has stood for nearly three decades, suggesting that 117-120 is the absolute ceiling for even the most genetically gifted humans.
Are there any men who have reached 117?
Verified cases of men reaching 117 are much rarer than women. Jiroemon Kimura of Japan is the only man to have been officially verified to reach the age of 116. No man has yet been scientifically validated as having reached 117.
Do all 117-year-olds live in "Blue Zones"?
No. While Blue Zones (like Okinawa or Sardinia) produce many centenarians, supercentenarians who reach 117 are found globally—from the United States to France to Spain. This further supports the theory that extreme longevity is more about individual genetics than local environmental factors.
Practical Recommendations for Longevity
While most people will not reach 117, the lessons learned from these women can help the average person reach a healthy 90 or 100.
- Prioritize Resilience over Perfection: Like Tomiko Itooka, maintain physical activity that builds bone density and muscle mass early in life. This "functional reserve" is what prevents fatal falls in later years.
- Focus on Glycemic Control: High blood sugar accelerates the aging of collagen and internal organs. Most supercentenarians, despite their occasional treats, maintained stable, low-sugar diets for the majority of their lives.
- Maintain Social Connectivity: Isolation is a major driver of mortality in the elderly. Maria Branyas Morera remained socially engaged, even using social media (with help) to communicate her thoughts to the world until her final days.
- Screen Early for Genetic Risks: In 2026, genomic testing is more accessible than ever. Understanding your risk for cardiovascular disease or late-onset Alzheimer's allows you to make lifestyle adjustments that can "bypass" your genetic predispositions.
Reaching 117 remains one of the final frontiers of human biology. As we continue to study the lives and the cellular makeup of these extraordinary women, we move closer to a future where "living to 100" is a standard expectation rather than a rare miracle.
