Meet the world’s oldest siblings who have combined age of 316 years | World | News
Eldest sister Levita de Deus Nunes is 108 years old, four years older than her younger sister Zoraide de Deus Mota, who is aged 104. Their younger sister Zulina de Deus Nunes is also a centenarian, aged 103. The siblings were born in the rural district of Cedro de Sao Joao in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Sergipe. Daughters of Manoel and Jovelina de Deus Nunes, they grew up in a family of eight, valuing hard work, unity, discipline, and solidarity.
Levita was born in 1917 and spent her youth managing the family home before moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1953. She worked behind the scenes for national broadcaster Rede Globo.
Born in November 1921, Zoraide defied traditional gender norms at the time by qualifying as a primary school teacher. She later graduated from the prestigious Anna Nery School of Nursing.
Zoraide married and raised five children, overcoming the loss of two. She is said to have inspired future generations of the family to go into fields such as medicine and law.
Zulina was born in March 1923 and used her artisan embroidery skills to fund the university education of all six of her children. She moved to Rio a year before her sister in 1952.
Zulina remains remarkably independent, cooking, performing household tasks, and serving as a matriarch to her nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The sisters are said to remain inseparable.
Over the years however they have had to battle through personal loss, economic hardship, and global upheaval. Now, after examining family documents and conducting interviews, their record as the oldest siblings has been verified by LongeviQuest, reports Creatorzine.
Researchers Iara Souza and Gabriel Ainsworth stated that they represent the “power of lifelong sisterhood”. While the trio hold the record of world’s oldest siblings, they are still chasing the all-time record.
That was held by the American Renfro sisters who had a combined age of 325 years in 2009. The sisters also have a way to go until they can mount a claim at being the world’s oldest people.
That record currently belongs to British national Ethel Carterham. Ethel was aged 116 years 223 days old when ratified by LongeviQuest in April.
Ethel took the crown following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas. When asked the secret to longevity, Ethel said it was to have a “positive mental attitude” and to “say yes to everything”.
It is believed she was the last person alive who was born in 1909. She was born during the reign of King Edward VII.
