World’s Oldest Person, Brazilian Nun Sister Ina Canabarro Lucas, Dies at 116
Sister Ina Canabarro Lucas, officially recognized as the oldest living person and oldest living woman in the world, has died at the age of 116. Her passing was confirmed on April 30, 2025, by the Congregation of the Teresian Sisters in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Born in Brazil on June 8, 1908, according to official records, Sister Ina dedicated more than nine decades of her life to religious service and spiritual devotion. Though she often claimed to have been born on May 27, 1908, her documented birth date remains June 8, as verified by the U.S.-based Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and the global longevity database LongeviQuest.
Sister Ina entered the Teresian religious order in 1934 at the age of 26. Throughout her long life, she remained deeply committed to her faith, often describing her remarkable longevity as “a gift from God.” She lived quietly and modestly within the religious community, gaining international attention only after she surpassed the age of 110.
One of the most significant milestones in her later years was her 110th birthday in 2018, when she received a personal blessing from Pope Francis.
Sister Ina became the world’s oldest known living person in January 2023 following the death of Japanese supercentenarian Tomiko Itooka, who also lived to be 116. With Sister Ina’s passing, the title of the world’s oldest living person now passes to Ethel Caterham of England, who is currently 115 years old.
According to GRG director Robert Young, Sister Ina ranks as the 15th oldest verified person in recorded history and the second-oldest nun, following France’s Lucile Randon, who died in 2023 at age 118.
The Teresian Sisters praised Sister Ina as “a symbol of quiet strength, humility, and unwavering faith.” Her community in Porto Alegre remembered her not only for her extraordinary age, but for her calm demeanor and lifelong dedication to education and service.
Sister Ina Canabarro Lucas’ life spanned three centuries of global transformation, and she leaves behind a legacy of grace, devotion, and remarkable endurance.
