In the heart of Brazil, an extraordinary group of individuals is rewriting what we thought we knew about human aging. These remarkable supercentenarians—people who have lived beyond 110 years—are helping scientists unlock the biological secrets to exceptional longevity, and their stories are nothing short of inspiring.

Dr. Mayana Zatz and her dedicated team at the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center at the University of São Paulo have assembled one of the most valuable research cohorts in the world. Their ongoing study includes over 160 centenarians and 20 validated supercentenarians from across Brazil, each with their own incredible story of resilience and vitality.

Among these exceptional individuals was Sister Inah, who held the title of world's oldest person until her passing at age 116 in April 2025. The cohort also includes men who reached 112 and 113 years, demonstrating that extreme longevity transcends gender. What makes these individuals even more remarkable is that many remained lucid and independent in their daily activities well into their second century of life, with some thriving despite limited access to modern healthcare throughout their lives.

Brazil's unique position as a genetic melting pot is proving invaluable to longevity research. Centuries of diverse immigration patterns have created what researchers describe as the world's richest genetic diversity. This extraordinary mix has revealed over 2 million novel genetic variants in initial studies, with more recent research identifying over 8 million previously undescribed genomic variants. This treasure trove of genetic information holds clues that simply cannot be found in more genetically homogeneous populations.

The research has uncovered some heartwarming family stories too. One 110-year-old woman has nieces aged 100, 104, and 106 years, representing one of Brazil's longest-lived families ever documented. The 106-year-old niece was still competing as a swimming champion at age 100—a testament to not just longevity, but vitality and joy in life.

What scientists are discovering about these supercentenarians is genuinely encouraging. Their immune systems function with remarkable efficiency, maintaining cellular processes comparable to much younger individuals. Rather than experiencing general decline, these exceptional individuals demonstrate what researchers call "differential adaptation"—their bodies have learned to age with resilience and grace.

Perhaps the most striking proof of their biological strength came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three Brazilian supercentenarians in the study survived COVID-19 in 2020, before vaccines were available, displaying robust immune responses that protected them from severe illness. This remarkable resilience offers hope that understanding their biological advantages could benefit people of all ages.

Interestingly, these Brazilian supercentenarians didn't follow strict diets or complex health regimens. Their longevity appears to stem from innate protective mechanisms that researchers are now working to understand and potentially share with the world.

As researcher Mateus Vidigal de Castro explains, investigating these rare individuals offers "a window into the polygenic inheritance of resilience" that could help everyone live healthier, longer lives. This research represents more than academic curiosity—it's a beacon of hope showing us that the human body possesses remarkable capacities for longevity and health that we're only beginning to understand.