25 September 2023 , 16:26
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A woman who is believed to be the oldest in the world has celebrated her 117th birthday in Brazil with her little sister - who is also an astonishing 107 years old.
Cicera Maria dos Santos, born in 1906, has spent nearly her entire life in the Brazilian countryside and puts her long life down to eating well and faith in God. If confirmed she would be a year older than Maria Branyas Morera, who is officially the world's oldest woman as of March this year, according to Guinness World Records.
During her working years, Cicera sold chickens at the local market in Paraiba, and on Saturday, September 23, she celebrated her 117th birthday along with her sister Josefa Maria da Conceicao, 107. The sisters enjoyed celebrity status from the local media and had a birthday cake for Cicera's big day.
The family said that they have a strong belief in God to help them through the tough times. Cicera said: "The peace of the Lord be with us. Who can do more than God? Everything is God." And Josefa told of the importance of their diet: "You have to eat. Beans, corn, cassava, potatoes."
Cicera had a cake which she shared with her family (Newsflash)Slavery took place in Brazil from the middle of the 16th century until its abolition in the 1860s. Josefa's grandson Ruan said: "They descend from people who were actually enslaved. Five generations ago my family was enslaved. They survived everything from the last century, and they beat Covid. The greatest happiness in the world is to be with them here today."
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The birthday bash included cake, snacks, and a round of applause, with friends and family paying tribute to the two sisters. The Guinness World Records currently recognises Maria Branyas Morera as the oldest woman, who was born in California and moved to Spain when she was eight.
Cicera's ID card showing she was born in 1906 (Newsflash)Maria said that avoiding toxic people was key to happiness, as was "luck and good genetics". She has three children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, and became the oldest person following the death of 118-year-old French nun Sister Andre.
"Order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends, contact with nature, emotional stability, no worries, no regrets, lots of positivity, and staying away from toxic people," said Maria of what was important for living long. While adding: "I think longevity is also about being lucky. Luck and good genetics."