Key Takeaways:
– Sister Inah Canabarro from Brazil is designated as the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117.
– Her secret to longevity was credited to her Catholic faith.
– Canabarro, a lifelong teacher, had a diverse positive impact on many lives, including creating marching bands and teaching Brazil’s last military dictator.
– The Inter soccer club, which she passionately supports, annually celebrates her birthday.
– She surpasses Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, becoming the 20th oldest documented person.
Sister Inah Canabarro, a devout nun from Brazil celebrated for her love of soccer, has been recognized as the world’s oldest living person at nearly 117. With a long life spanning more than a century, Canabarro fosters a buoyant spirit that defines her.
From Childhood to Global Recognition
Sister Inah was so frail during her early years that her survival into adulthood was doubted. Her nephew, Cleber Canabarro, and LongeviQuest, a global supercentenarian tracking organization, chronicled her journey of reaching this historic milestone. LongeviQuest also verified Canabarro’s age through child records.
Passion for Life and Love for Others
Despite her advanced age, Canabarro radiates a youthful spirit. She delights in wit, shares her art of miniature flower paintings, and embodies her Catholic faith through her recitation of the Hail Mary prayer. Her mirthful demeanor and zest for life convey her secret to longevity. Asserting her belief, she iterates that her Catholic faith provides the foundation of her long life.
“Sister Inah’s Story: A Life of Distinction”
Canabarro’s birth dates back to June 8, 1908, although her nephew asserts it was unofficially registered two weeks late and she was actually born on May 27. Her life is marked by significant contributions to numerous communities and her lineage boasts a great-grandfather who was a famed Brazilian general.
In her teens, Canabarro committed to religious work and spent two years in Montevideo, Uruguay before she moved to Rio de Janeiro, and eventually settled in her home state of Rio Grande do Sul. As a lifelong teacher, she touched lives profoundly. Notably, her former students included Gen. Joao Figueiredo, the last of the military dictators who governed Brazil between 1964 and 1985.
Sister Inah’s Influence and Achievements
In addition to her teaching career, Sister Inah founded two marching bands that uplifted schools straddling the Uruguay-Brazil border. Her efforts were so influential that she was recognized by Pope Francis on her 110th birthday. She remains the second oldest nun ever recorded, after Lucile Randon, who held the title of world’s oldest person until her death in 2023 at 118.
An Endearing Soccer Enthusiast
Sister Inah also exhibits a fervent interest in soccer, as evidenced by her support of the local soccer club Inter. As the club’s oldest fan, her birth predates its foundation. Every year, the club commemorates her birthday, and her nephew notes that her room proudly exhibits red and white gifts – the team colors.
Overcoming Challenges with Radiance
Enduring two hospitalizations hasn’t dampened Sister Inah’s spirits, thanks to her nephew who maintains regular contact to keep her uplifted. Emphasizing the power of familial love, he reveals how hearing his voice always triggers a wave of joy in her.
As Sister Inah assumes the title of the world’s oldest living person following the death of Tomiko Itooka from Japan, we are reminded of the power of resilience, faith, and passion. Sister Inah ranks as the 20th oldest person documented, a list led by Jeanne Calment of France, who passed away in 1997 at 122. Canabarro’s life indefinitely bridges the past with the present, serving as an inspiring testimonial of human longevity.