RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 16 (Reuters) - With just two months until what would be her 120th birthday, Deolira Gliceria Pedro da Silva, a great-grandmother from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is eager to be recognized as the world’s oldest living person by the Guinness World Records.
Currently, the title is held by Inah Canabarro Lucas, a 116-year-old nun from Rio Grande do Sul, but Deolira’s family and doctors are confident she will soon surpass this record-holder. According to Deolira’s granddaughter Doroteia Ferreira da Silva, "She is the oldest in the world according to the documents we have on her."
Born on March 10, 1905, in the rural town of Porciuncula, Rio de Janeiro, Deolira now resides in a brightly painted house in Itaperuna, cared for by her granddaughters Doroteia, 60, and Leida Ferreira da Silva, 64.
Despite surpassing the average Brazilian life expectancy by over four decades, Deolira remains in good health for her age, as stated by geriatric doctor Juair de Abreu Pereira, who collaborates with Guinness World Records.
Acknowledging challenges in confirming Deolira’s age due to historical flood-related document loss, researchers like Mateus Vidigal from the University of Sao Paulo are studying her to better understand Brazil's super elderly population.
Dr. Pereira attributes Deolira’s longevity to a healthy diet, good sleeping habits, and her positive family interactions, noting her enjoyment of bananas. Observing her resilience to common health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes, granddaughter Ferreira da Silva aspires to reach her age and vitality.