She lived to be 117 years and 168 days old—long enough to see the world change in ways most of us can only imagine. But what made her body defy time? A new study led by researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Spain may have cracked part of the code. It turns out, her gut and genes were working like those of someone decades younger.

The absence of serious disease makes this the first study in which ageing can be clearly distinguished from illness. Meta AI


This supercentenarian wasn’t just lucky. Her DNA carried rare variants linked to longevity, strong immune function, and healthy heart and brain activity. Even more surprising? Her epigenome—the chemical markers that influence how genes behave—looked youthful. That’s like finding a 117-year-old with the biological signature of someone in their 60s. It’s not science fiction. It’s science catching up to the mystery of aging.

But genes weren’t the whole story. Her gut microbiome—the ecosystem of bacteria living in her digestive tract—was unusually rich in species that most people lose with age. These microbes aren’t just passengers; they help regulate inflammation, metabolism, and even mood. Think of them as microscopic caretakers, quietly keeping the body in balance. In her case, they seemed to be doing an exceptional job.

Dr. Manel Esteller, senior author of the study, explained that her microbiome and epigenome were “closer to those of healthy 60-year-olds than to those of people her age.” That’s a staggering insight. It suggests that aging doesn’t have to mean decline—not if the right biological systems stay intact.

Why does this matter now? Because we’re living longer, but not always better. Chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and frailty often come hand-in-hand with old age. This research hints at a future where we might extend not just lifespan, but healthspan—the number of years we live well. And it’s not just about rare genes. Gut health is something we can influence through diet, lifestyle, and maybe one day, targeted therapies.

The study, published in Cell Reports Medicine, doesn’t offer a magic pill. But it does offer hope. It shows that aging is more flexible than we thought. And it invites us to rethink what’s possible for our bodies, even in the final chapters of life.

As scientists continue to explore the interplay between genetics and the microbiome, the next frontier may be personalized longevity strategies. Imagine a future where your gut bacteria are tuned like an orchestra to keep you thriving into your 90s and beyond. For now, the story of one remarkable woman reminds us that aging well isn’t just about counting years—it’s about how those years count.

The Study was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine