Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas from Brazil has made history as the world’s oldest living person, reaching 116 years and 210 days just on 4 January.
She topped the list of oldest living people following the death of Japan’s Tomiko Itooka on 29 December. Born 8 June, 1908, in Sao Francisco de Assis, Brazil, Sister Inah was once considered too frail to survive childhood.
She attributes her longevity to the rosary she holds in photos that have gone viral since her record-breaking announcement.
Sister Inah lives a quiet routine at a convent in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where she recently recovered from a hospitalisation.
She has difficulty speaking, seeing and hearing but remains deeply attentive to the world around her. Her nephew Cléber Canabarro Lucas told the local paper her prayers have provided comfort to many, especially during floods in Porto Alegre.
Sister Inah began her religious journey at 16, studying and later becoming a nun in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1934.
She taught for many years before working at the Provincial House in Porto Alegre. She received a blessing from Pope Francis on her 110th birthday and is also the second-oldest documented nun, after French Sister André, who died in 2023 at 118 years.
Sister Inah is known for her love of soccer, particularly as a fan of Sport Club Internacional.
