Inah reached this milestone on August 1, 2024, according to LongeviQuest, a renowned research group specializing in the monitoring and mapping of supercentenarians across the globe. She was born on June 8, 1908, in São Francisco de Assis, located in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul.
Previously holding the title was Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, who passed away at the age of 116 on December 29, 2024. The announcement of Inah's status as the oldest living person was made this Saturday (4) by the municipality of Ashiya, Japan, where Tomiko resided.
Inah lives at the Congregation of the Teresian Sisters in Porto Alegre and enjoys her daily routine.
On October 1, 2024, during the celebration of the Day of the Elderly, she humorously responded to questions about her age, saying, "Just a few years. 116."
According to her biography on the LongeviQuest website, Inah was so thin as a child that many doubted she would survive.
She had six siblings and entered religious life at the age of 18 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Later, she relocated to Rio de Janeiro, where she taught Portuguese and mathematics.
In a recent interview with "Bom Dia Rio Grande," family members and friends shared with reporter Cristine Gallisa that although Inah doesn't hear or see well, she maintains a strict daily routine, waking up, eating, sleeping, and praying at the same times every day.
The secret to her longevity? "I believe it’s a determination in life and devotion to others, along with spirituality," said Kleber Vieira Canabarro Lucas, Inah's nephew, in the interview.