Brazilian Sisters, Combined 316 Years Old, Undergo Groundbreaking DNA Longevity Research

The Guinness World Records has officially acknowledged three Brazilian sisters, aged 109, 104, and 103, for achieving the highest cumulative age ever recorded for three living siblings. Their remarkable combined age of 316 years has drawn significant interest from leading scientists, eager to uncover the biological underpinnings of their extended lifespans and cognitive vitality.

According to a June report, these sisters originated from the rural community of Cedro de São João in Sergipe, Brazil. They were part of a large family of eight children, spending their formative years engaged in strenuous manual labor, consuming fresh produce directly from their farm, and swimming in natural rivers. Later in life, they all relocated to Rio de Janeiro. Despite their record-breaking longevity, an examination of their family history indicates that the three sisters lived largely conventional, industrious lives.

Levita de Deus Nunes, born on June 7, 1917, is currently 109 years old. As the second-eldest of eight, she managed the household, organized daily routines, and cared for her family while her parents worked in the fields. Around 1953, she moved to Rio de Janeiro to support her sister Zulina during her challenging adjustment to the new city. Levita, who never married or had children, dedicated her entire life to her family. She inherited a talent for handmade crafts from her mother, transforming crochet, knitting, and sewing into activities that served as both livelihood and personal expression. She also worked for Rede Globo Television for 12 years. Today, Levita enjoys sorubim and lau-lau catfish.

Zoraide de Deus Mota, the second oldest, was born on November 24, 1921. She graduated as a primary school teacher, beginning her career in São Cristóvão, Sergipe, before moving to Rio, where she pursued nursing. Over the years, she established a respected career, working in various hospitals until her retirement. On February 6, 1950, she married Enéas Alves da Mota, with whom she had five children. Zoraide recalls their family enjoying high-quality pork during their youth, as their father raised and butchered pigs, selling the meat from their home while reserving the best cuts for his family.

Zulina de Deus Nunes, the youngest of the trio, born on March 4, 1923, developed domestic and artisanal skills like sewing, cross-stitch embroidery, and refined crafts from an early age. These skills later proved crucial for her independence. She married José Benvindo dos Santos on July 17, 1945, and took charge of managing their household and raising their six children while her husband worked along the railway route for the former Federal Railway Network. Zulina faced significant hardship after her marriage ended, leaving her without financial stability. Alone with young children, she decided to migrate to Rio de Janeiro around 1952 in pursuit of a better future. Upon arriving in Rio, she received essential support and shelter from Zoraide during her initial month.

The extraordinary concentration of extreme longevity within this immediate family has garnered intense interest from the global medical community. All three sisters, having surpassed the century mark while maintaining good health and mental sharpness, are now enrolled in The DNA Longevo Project. This significant scientific study is spearheaded by the renowned geneticist Dr. Mayana Zatz at the University of São Paulo. Reuters reports that the study aims to identify specific biological markers that contribute to physical and mental resilience at exceptionally advanced ages.

Researchers are comparing the genetic data of healthy nonagenarians and centenarians with that of individuals who experience early frailty, chronic diseases, or cognitive decline. Dr. Zatz, who coordinates the university’s Human Genome Research Center, told Reuters, “Through DNA testing, we look for protective genes, and we know there are several of them. The more people we have who live past 100, especially families with multiple centenarians, the more accurate our research will be in identifying them.”

The research posits that inherited biological factors play a more substantial role in extreme survival than environmental habits alone. Scientists hope to understand how genetic factors, rather than just lifestyle, safeguard the heart, muscles, and cognitive function from the effects of aging. Joao Paulo Guilherme, a co-researcher working with Zatz, stated the study's goal is to reach 500 centenarians to draw more definitive conclusions about longevity. Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, noted that while a strong genetic component is evident when sisters reach such ages, their proximity also provides a crucial support network, highlighting a community aspect.

When questioned about their secrets to longevity, the sisters themselves attributed it to a lifetime of natural nutrition. Zulina, the youngest, recalled their rural Brazilian childhood, where they swam and fished in open rivers. “Everything was fresh. We didn’t have a refrigerator,” she said. Zoraide added, “Breastfeeding is incredibly important.” Reflecting on her 109 years, the eldest sister, Levita, expressed no regrets, stating, “I had a good childhood and adolescence. I can’t complain.”

PUNCH newspaper also reported that the world’s oldest person, British woman Ethel Caterham, turned 116 in August 2025, after inheriting the title from Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas. When asked about her secret to long life, she humorously replied, “Never arguing with anyone! I listen, and I do what I like.”