World’s Oldest Person Dies At 116

The world’s oldest living person, a Brazilian Catholic nun who credited her longevity to faith, discipline, and a lifelong love of soccer, has passed away at the age of 116, the New York Post reported.

Sister Inah Canabarro, a devoted member of her religious congregation and an iconic figure in Brazil’s southern city of Porto Alegre, died peacefully at home on Wednesday of natural causes. Her body “had gradually stopped” functioning, and she had no major illnesses at the time of her passing, according to her nephew. (RELATED: Turns Out World’s Oldest Person Might Be A Complete Sham)

Inah Canabarro Lucas, the world’s oldest living person, has died at the age of 116. She devoted much of her life to working in education and religion. pic.twitter.com/CTjP9tg1My

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) May 3, 2025

Born in 1908, Canabarro became the world’s oldest person late last year after the death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who also passed at 116. The nun and former teacher was widely known not only for her remarkable age but for her unwavering devotion to Sport Club Internacional — a professional soccer team she followed with the passion of a lifelong fan.

For each of her birthdays, Canabarro celebrated with a cake shaped like Internacional’s home stadium, and on her final birthday, she was photographed proudly wearing the team’s scarf. Her fandom earned her regular birthday wishes from the club, which issued a statement mourning her death: “We bid farewell to Sister, celebrating her legacy of spirituality and compassion and wishing strength to her friends and family.”

Canabarro told reporters that what she loved about her team was its ability to bring people together: “Whether rich or poor, it doesn’t matter — it’s for the people,” she said.

Her long life also included a brush with the pandemic. In October 2022, she survived a hospitalization due to COVID-19, making her one of the oldest people on record to recover from the virus.

The Vatican took note of her longevity as well — Pope Francis honored her on her 110th birthday, recognizing her spiritual dedication and lifetime of service to the Church.

Despite reaching such an advanced age, Canabarro remained in good health until recently. She only began using a walker at 110 and had maintained a relatively active lifestyle until then.

Her death leaves British woman Ethel Caterham, 115, as the new world’s oldest living person.