Three sisters in Brazil have been recognized as the world's oldest living sibling trio with a combined age of more than 316 years [1].
This milestone provides a rare opportunity for geneticists to study the biological mechanisms of extreme longevity. By analyzing a single family unit with three supercentenarians, researchers hope to identify specific markers that allow the human body to resist age-related decay.
The trio consists of Levita de Deus Nunes, Zoraide de Deus Mota, and Zulina de Deus Nunes [1, 2]. Their record was verified in 2024 [1, 2]. The sisters reside in Brazil, where their exceptional lifespans have drawn the attention of the global scientific community.
Scientists from the University of São Paulo are currently studying the DNA of the three women [1]. The research team aims to uncover possible genetic factors behind this exceptional aging process. Because the sisters share a significant portion of their genetic makeup and likely similar environmental exposures, they serve as a controlled group for longevity studies.
Such research is critical for understanding the difference between lifespan—the length of time a person lives—and healthspan, which is the period of life spent in good health. The University of São Paulo team is looking for mutations or protective genes that may have shielded the sisters from common age-related diseases.
While individual records for the oldest person are often contested, the combined age of a sibling group provides a different metric for longevity. This case is one of the few documented instances where three siblings have all reached such advanced ages simultaneously [1, 2].
“Combined age of more than 316 years”
The study of the de Deus sisters shifts the focus of longevity research from individual outliers to familial clusters. If the University of São Paulo identifies specific genetic markers shared by these three women, it could provide a roadmap for developing therapies to slow cellular aging or prevent age-related pathologies in the general population.
