Deolira Glicéria Pedro da Silva, a Great-great-grandmother aged 119, is believed to hold the title of the ‘oldest’ person in the world, according to her family and national ID card.
Deolira attributes her remarkable longevity to abstaining from drinking or smoking, although she enjoys indulging in a cup of coffee.
Despite her age, Deolira remains in good health and does not require any medication. She maintains perfect eyesight but faces challenges with walking, and her hearing has diminished over time.
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Throughout her life, Deolira has experienced significant losses, including the passing of her three siblings and her husband approximately 20 years ago.
As a mother, Deolira raised seven children, three of whom are still alive today. She is also blessed with a large and loving family, including 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 37 great-great-grandchildren.
Deolira celebrated her birthday surrounded by her extensive family, enjoying a simple cake to mark the occasion.
While Maria Branyas Morera from Catalonia, Spain, holds the title of the world’s oldest person according to the Guinness World Records, Deolira’s family believes she is the true record holder.
Geriatrician Juair de Abreu Pereira, who has been attending to her for two years, attests to her exceptional condition for her advanced age. Despite her inability to walk and some hearing loss due to age, Deolira remains interactive and lucid.
Remarkably, Deolira does not take any medication and maintains perfect vision, according to her family.
Born on a farm in Porciúncula, near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1905, Deolira spent her earlier years working in the fields until she reached 80. Currently residing in Itaperuna with her daughter and granddaughters, she relies on a wheelchair for mobility following a fall over a decade ago that resulted in a fractured pelvis.
Despite her age-related challenges, Deolira’s blood samples have been collected by researchers at the University of São Paulo for analysis. They aim to uncover the secrets behind her remarkable longevity.
Dr. Mateus Vidal emphasizes the rarity of Deolira’s case, noting that she exceeds the average Brazilian life expectancy by at least 50 years, which typically stands around 75 years.
Deolira’s remarkable journey includes living through the Covid-19 pandemic, adding another layer of intrigue for researchers studying her longevity.
Doroteia, one of Deolira’s caregivers, marvels at her grandmother’s resilience and vitality, recalling her active involvement in household chores and tending to the garden, pigs, and chickens. Despite her advanced age, Deolira maintains a disciplined diet, avoiding pineapple due to allergies, and refrains from smoking or drinking alcohol. However, she indulges in her favorite beverage, coffee, which she can’t resist, according to her granddaughter Leila.
Doroteia admires her grandmother’s endurance, predicting that Deolira may even reach the remarkable age of 130, outliving her descendants.
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