MIAMI — An Italian nun with a passion for soccer, Sister Inah Canabarro from Brazil, is believed to now hold the title of the world’s oldest living individual at an age nearing 117, following the passing of a woman from Japan.
Cleber Canabarro, her 84-year-old nephew, shared that Sister Inah was so frail during her childhood that many doubted she would survive to adulthood.
LongeviQuest, an organization dedicated to tracking supercentenarians around the globe, issued a statement declaring the senior, who uses a wheelchair, as the oldest validated person by early life documentation.
In a video recorded by LongeviQuest last February, Sister Inah is seen joyfully interacting with others, sharing her artistic miniature paintings of wildflowers, and reciting the Hail Mary prayer.
When asked about her secret to a long life, she attributes it to her strong Catholic faith.
“I consider myself young, pretty, and friendly — traits that are all positive and admirable,” she tells visitors at her retirement home located in Porto Alegre, a city in southern Brazil.
Every Saturday, her nephew visits her, offering companionship and sending voice messages to uplift her spirits, especially after a couple of hospital stays that left her feeling weak and struggling to speak.
“The other sisters mention she seems to light up when she hears my voice,” he explains. “It brings her joy.”
Sister Inah was born on June 8, 1908, into a large family in southern Brazil, although her birth records indicate a registration two weeks later, with her actual birth date being May 27. Additionally, her lineage includes a notable Brazilian general who played a role in Brazil’s independence from Portugal during the 19th century.
Beginning her religious commitment as a teenager, she spent a period in Montevideo, Uruguay, before relocating to Rio de Janeiro, and eventually returning to her native state of Rio Grande do Sul. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to teaching, with one of her notable students being Gen. Joao Figueiredo, the last of Brazil’s military dictators until 1985. She also founded two marching bands in schools located in sister cities on the border of Uruguay and Brazil.
On her 110th birthday, Sister Inah received recognition from Pope Francis, making her the second oldest documented nun in history, after Lucile Randon, who held the title of the oldest person in the world until her passing in 2023 at the remarkable age of 118.
The local soccer club, Inter, which was established shortly after Sister Inah’s birth, celebrates her birthday each year, as she is regarded as their oldest supporter. Her room is adorned with gifts showcasing the team’s red and white colors, as described by her nephew.
“Inter is a team for everyone, regardless of race or social status,” Sister Inah expresses in a video commemorating her 116th birthday with the club’s president.
Following the death of Tomiko Itooka from Japan in December, Sister Inah assumed the title of the oldest living person, according to LongeviQuest. She now ranks as the 20th oldest person ever documented, with the record being held by Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 122, as per LongeviQuest’s records.
