Meet Inah Canabarro: The 117-Year-Old Nun and World's Oldest Person; Check the Secrets to Her Long Life

At nearly 117, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro has surpassed all previous records as the oldest living person in the world. According to LongeviQuest, a website that tracks supercentenarians, Inah became the oldest individual with verified records on Saturday. 

The previous oldest individual, Tomiko Itooka of Japan, passed away in December.

Who is Inah Canabarro?

According to LongeviQuest, Inah Canabarro was born in southern Brazil on June 8, 1908. Cleber Canabarro, her 84-year-old nephew, claims that although she was registered two weeks later, her true birth date was May 27. She resides at a retirement community in Porto Alegre, Brazil, at the moment.

Canabarro's great-grandfather was a Brazilian general who had joined the military during the tumultuous years after Brazil gained its independence from Portugal in the 1800s.

Inah Canabarro Early Days

According to Cleber Canabarro, Inah was weak as a youngster, and many people did not believe she would make it through infancy.

When she was a teenager, Inah Canabarro became a nun and worked in Rio de Janeiro and Uruguay before coming back to Rio Grande do Sul. She taught General João Figueiredo, Brazil's last military ruler, and was the founder of two marching bands.

Reason for Inah's Long Life

"I am young, pretty, and friendly– with all the excellent, positive attributes that you possess as well," Canabarro stated in a February video that LongeviQuest captured. She credits her Catholic religion for her long life. In the video, she can be seen reciting the Hail Mary, presenting little paintings of wildflowers, and cracking jokes.

Inah Canabarro, Second Oldest Nun

Canabarro is an avid fan of Inter, the neighborhood soccer team. In a video announcing her 116th birthday, she declared, "Inter is the team of the people, regardless of your race, wealth, or social status."

Inah Canabarro holds the record as the second-oldest nun in history. She was also recognized by Pope Francis on her 110th birthday. She is currently the 20th oldest individual ever recorded. The number one spot is still with France's Jeanne Calment, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 122.

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