Before her death in 2024, Maria made a rare and generous request: she asked scientists to study her DNA to discover what made her so resilient. Researchers at the University of Barcelona and the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute accepted the challenge — and what they found amazed them. According to lead scientist Dr. Manel Esteller, Maria’s biology seemed to “separate being old from being sick.” Despite her age, she showed the cholesterol levels, cell activity, and vitality of someone decades younger.
Scientists Decode the Secret Behind a 117-Year-Old Woman’s Life — and Discover the Surprising Food Linked to Her Longevity
