A Brazilian nun who was the world's oldest living person has died at the age of 116, making a British woman the new record holder.
Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas passed away on 30th April in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Born on 8th June 1908 in Sao Francisco de Assis, a town in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, she had been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person since December 2024.
Picture shows nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, 116, undated. She was born in the city of Sao Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash)
Following her death, Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old from Surrey, England, has become the world's oldest living person.
Sister Inah, a member of the Teresian Sisters, attributed her longevity to her Catholic faith.
She was known for her devotion to prayer and had been honoured by Pope Francis on her 110th birthday.
Throughout her life, she taught various subjects, including Portuguese and mathematics, in Teresian schools across Brazil.
Picture shows nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, 116, undated. She was born in the city of Sao Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash)
Her nephew, Cleber Vieira Canabarro Lucas, 84, described her as a woman of kindness, good humour, and determination.
Sister Inah had lived through two world wars and witnessed the reigns of 10 popes.
She became the world's oldest person following the death of Japan's Tomiko Itooka on 29th December 2024.
Ethel Caterham, born on 21th August 1909, now holds the title of the world's oldest living person.
She has lived in Surrey for over 50 years and was previously recognised as the oldest person in the United Kingdom.
Ethel worked as a nanny in India, where she met her husband, Major Norman Caterham, in 1931.
Picture shows nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, 116, undated. She was born in the city of Sao Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Note: Image is a screenshot from video. (Newsflash)
The couple lived in various locations, including Hong Kong and Gibraltar, before settling in the UK.
She continued to drive her Triumph Dolomite until the age of 97.
In 2020, she contracted COVID-19 but made a full recovery.
Ethel is now the last known living person born in 1909.
Her family attributes her longevity to a life of resilience and adaptability.
The Gerontology Research Group and LongeviQuest have both verified her age and status.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)