At 116 years old, Maria Brancati has lived through two world wars, seventeen presidents, and more history than most people read about in a lifetime — but when asked how she’s survived more than a century on Earth, her answer left everyone smiling in disbelief.
“I never worried about anything I couldn’t change,” she said softly in a new interview with BBC News. “And I ate chocolate every single day.”
Born in 1909 in a small Italian village before moving to the U.S. after World War II, Maria is now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living woman. She celebrated her milestone birthday surrounded by family, caregivers, and television cameras in her nursing home in New Jersey — and when a reporter asked her the secret behind her extraordinary longevity, she laughed. “Don’t get married too young. Don’t skip dessert. And don’t let fools upset you.”
“116-year-old Maria Brancati just became the world’s oldest living woman — and says chocolate and peace of mind kept her alive.” @BBCWorld
Her candid answers have gone viral, with millions online calling her “the grandma the world needs.” One user on X wrote, “She’s lived through every possible kind of chaos and still thinks dessert matters most. That’s wisdom.”
According to her granddaughter Sofia Marquez, Maria has been repeating the same mantra for decades: “Eat, pray, laugh, and forgive fast.” “She’s never been one to hold grudges,” Sofia said. “If you made her angry, she’d tell you off and offer you cookies ten minutes later.”
Researchers studying centenarians say Maria’s attitude is more than just charming — it’s scientifically backed. Dr. Elena Rossi of Mayo Clinic told reporters that a positive outlook and emotional regulation can significantly influence lifespan. “Chronic stress accelerates aging,” she said. “People like Maria, who focus on humor and perspective, tend to age more gracefully — both physically and mentally.”
But Maria’s health routine is far from conventional. She admitted to never following a diet and skipping breakfast more often than not. “I never liked oatmeal,” she told CNN with a grin. “Coffee and chocolate — that’s breakfast enough.”
She’s also no stranger to loss. Maria has outlived her husband, four siblings, and nearly all her friends. “It’s hard sometimes,” she confessed. “But I talk to them in my prayers every night. I believe they hear me.”
“‘Don’t hold grudges, don’t skip dessert.’ — 116-year-old Maria Brancati on the secret to a long life.” @Reuters
Born the daughter of a blacksmith and a seamstress in the Calabria region, Maria emigrated to New York City in 1946, where she worked in a bakery for 30 years. “She still insists on folding dough whenever we bake,” said her great-granddaughter, Giulia. “She says it keeps her hands strong and her heart happy.”
When asked if she ever expected to live this long, Maria laughed again. “I thought I’d be gone by 80,” she said. “But God must have lost my paperwork.”
Experts note that Maria’s case fits the pattern of many supercentenarians — people who live past 110 — who tend to share common traits like optimism, independence, and low levels of chronic illness. “Her medical file is thinner than most 50-year-olds,” said Dr. Michael Chen, her attending physician. “No heart disease, no diabetes, and a memory sharp enough to beat me at cards.”
Maria credits her mental clarity to crossword puzzles and laughter. “If you don’t use your brain, it forgets you,” she said. “And if you stop laughing, life stops being fun.”
“‘I thought I’d be gone by 80,’ laughs the 116-year-old who says God ‘lost her paperwork.’” @guardian
Her sense of humor has made her an online sensation. Clips of her blowing out her birthday candles — 116 tiny flames, one puff — have racked up millions of views on TikTok, with users calling her “the most unbothered person alive.” “When I see kids online arguing about everything,” she told TODAY, “I just want to tell them, go outside, get some sun, and stop scrolling.”
Despite her age, Maria insists she doesn’t feel “old.” “I’ve seen the world change in ways I can’t describe,” she said. “But people are the same — we all just want love and good food.”
Her caretakers describe her as “tough as nails but sweet as sugar.” Nurse Laura Simmons said, “She refuses to take naps. She says sleeping too much makes you miss the fun parts of the day.”
When asked what advice she’d give to younger generations, Maria didn’t hesitate. “Stop being angry all the time,” she said. “Arguing makes wrinkles. Smiling makes memories.”
“World’s oldest woman says the secret to longevity isn’t kale or yoga — it’s laughter and chocolate.” @people
Her story has even inspired nutritionists to rethink traditional wellness advice. “It’s a reminder that joy and balance matter as much as diet or exercise,” said lifestyle expert Dr. Courtney Hill. “You can eat perfectly and still die young if you’re miserable. Maria has lived joyfully — and that’s medicine too.”
When the cameras stopped rolling, Maria leaned back in her chair, still smiling. “People keep asking me what’s next,” she said. “I tell them — lunch.”
And with that, the 116-year-old icon of resilience and humor went back to doing what she’s done for over a century — living life, one laugh and one piece of chocolate at a time.