On 27 December, Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo, Brazil’s oldest living person, was presented with the LongeviQuest Trophy in recognition of her status. Approaching her 115th birthday, she is currently the fifth-oldest known living person in the world.
Yolanda was born in Coruripe in the state of Alagoas, on 13 January 1911, as the first of 15 children. She married in 1928 and had four children: Maria Isa Beltrão de Azevedo Cavalcanti, João Beltrão de Azevedo, Irmã (Sister) Yolanda Maria Beltrão de Azevedo (17 July 1933 – present), and José Beltrão de Azevedo. She was a devoted housewife who dedicated her life to caring for her family.
She has one living sister, Maria Salete Beltrão de Castro (15 March 1933), who is 92 years old.
When asked about the secret to her longevity, she shared that she ate a variety of foods but avoided passion fruit juice as it caused her stomach discomfort. A favorite pastime of hers thats she continues to do to this day is reading books.
With her daughter, Irmã (Sister) Yolanda Maria Beltrão de Azevedo, and granddaughter, Yolanda Maria de Azevedo Cavalcanti Santana.
On 24 September 2025, following the passing of 114-year-old Izabel Rosa Pereira, she became the nation’s oldest known living resident.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo and her family, and we thank them for presenting the trophy to her on our behalf, especially her granddaughter, Yolanda Maria de Azevedo Cavalcanti Santana. We wish her many more years of good health and happiness.
Irmã (Sister) Yolanda Maria Beltrão de Azevedo, aged 92, Yolanda’s daughter.
