In March 2020, she became the oldest person to recover from COVID-19.[4] This record was later surpassed by Lucile Randon.
She lived in a nursing home located in Olot, Catalonia.[5] She died in her sleep on 19 August 2024, at the age of 117 years and 168 days. After her death, Tomiko Itooka became the world's oldest living person.[6][7][8]
22 December 2019 - Josefa Santos Gonzalez died. Maria Branyas Morera, aged 112 years, 293 days, became the oldest living person in Spain.
17 January 2022 - Thelma Sutcliffe died. Maria Branyas Morera, aged 114 years, 319 days, became the oldest living person who was born in the United States.[2]
19 August 2022 - Tekla Juniewicz died. Maria Branyas Morera, aged 115 years, 168 days, became the world's second-oldest living person.[2][9]
17 January 2023 - Lucile Randon died. Maria Branyas Morera, aged 115 years, 319 days, became the world's oldest living person.[2][3]
4 March 2023 - Celebrated 116th birthday.
21 April 2023 - Maria Branyas Morera, aged 116 years, 48 days, finally surpassed Ana María Vela Rubio's final age and become the oldest person ever residing in Spain.
14 May 2023 - Maria Branyas Morera, aged 116 years, 71 days, surpassed Tekla Juniewicz's final age and become the oldest emigrant ever.
12 December 2023 - Tatsumi Fusa died, she became the only survivor born in 1907.
22 February 2024 - With the death of Edith Ceccarelli She became the only American born before 1909.
4 March 2024 - Celebrated 117th birthday. She is also the oldest person in Spain, reaching his 117th birthday.
1 April 2024 - Maria Branyas Morera(age 117 years, 27 days) beat Misao Okawa's record.
9 May 2024 - Maria Branyas Morera (117 years, 66 days) broke Delphia Welford's record.
24 May 2024 - Maria Branyas Morera (117 years, 81 days) broke Chiyo Miyako’s record.
20 July 2024 - Maria Branyas Morera surpassed the record by beating Emma Morano (117 years, 137 days).