Sister Inah Canabarro, a soccer-loving nun from Brazil, has been recognized as the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117 years old, following the recent passing of a woman from Japan.
LongeviQuest, an organization that tracks supercentenarians worldwide, revealed that Sister Inah Canabarro defied the odds of her childhood, where many doubted she would survive due to her slim build.
On Saturday (January 54, 2024), LongeviQuest officially declared Sister Inah Canabarro, who is wheelchair-bound, as the oldest person in the world based on verified early life records.
In a video captured by the organization in February, Sister Inah Canabarro is seen smiling, sharing her passion for creating miniature paintings of wildflowers, and reciting prayers with joy.
She attributes her longevity to her strong Catholic faith, stating, “I’m young, pretty, and friendly – all very good, positive qualities that you have too,” while welcoming visitors to her retirement home in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Born on June 8, 1908, in southern Brazil to a large family, Sister Inah Canabarro has a rich family history, with her great-grandfather being a renowned Brazilian general who fought during Brazil’s independence from Portugal in the 19th century.
After becoming a nun in her teenage years, she dedicated herself to religious work, spending time in Montevideo, Uruguay, before settling in Rio de Janeiro and eventually returning to southern Brazil.
Recognized by Pope Francis on her 110th birthday, Sister Inah Canabarro holds the title of the second oldest documented nun, following Lucile Randon, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 118.
Local soccer club Inter, founded after Sister Inah Canabarro’s birth, celebrates her birthday each year with a cake and balloons in the team’s colors, red and white.
Ranked as the 20th oldest documented person to have ever lived, Sister Inah Canabarro assumed the title of the oldest living person after the passing of Tomiko Itooka from Japan in December, according to LongeviQuest.
She now joins the list of notable individuals in longevity, with the Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment holding the record for the oldest person to have lived, passing away at the age of 122 in 1997, as reported by LongeviQuest.
Published – January 06, 2025 05:45 am IST
