Inah Canabarro, 116-year-old nun who became world’s oldest woman dies in Brazil
The world’s oldest person, a Brazilian nun named Inah Canabarro, has died at the age of 116.
She passed away peacefully at home on April 30 in the city of Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.
Her religious group, the Company of Saint Teresa of Jesus, confirmed her death, indicating that she died under “natural circumstances”.
Sister Inah would have turned 117 on May 27.
Known not only for her age but also for her joyful spirit, strong faith, and years of service as a teacher and religious sister, Inah became the oldest living person in the world in January, according to LongeviQuest.
Sister Inah, born on June 8, 1908, in southern Brazil, is known for her cheerful spirit and devotion to her Catholic faith. Her family says her birth was registered late, so her real birthday is May 27.
She chose to become a nun as a teenager and lived a life of teaching and prayer, teaching thousands of students across Brazil and Uruguay. One of her former students even became Brazil’s president during the military rule — Gen. Joao Figueiredo.
Sister Inah loved art, sports and prayer.
At age 116, she shared that her faith is what kept her going for so long
“I’m young, pretty and friendly — all very good, positive qualities that you have too,” she told visitors to her retirement home.
She was the second-oldest nun ever known.
She took over the title of world’s oldest person after Japan’s Tomiko Itooka died in December 2024.
The new oldest person is now Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old woman from the United Kingdom.
Sister Inah’s funeral took place on May 1 in Porto Alegre.
Her religious group said she will be remembered with love and respect for her life as a teacher, a nun, and a woman who lived through more than a century of history.
