BIOGRAPHY

Benvinda Marques Matias was born in the village of Monte Frio in the parish of Benfeita, Coimbra, Portugal, on 15 February 1906. She was one of ten siblings born to Maria dos Anjos and Álvaro Marques, both of whom passed away in 1954. As a child, she worked in the fields until her marriage to Luís Gonçalves Matias in Folques in October 1930. Seeking a better life, the couple relocated to Lisbon, where she began working by carrying fruit at the market. The couple had a son, Manecas.

Widowed at the age of 35, she moved with her only son to Maputo, Mozambique—then known as Lourenço Marques. She lived on the African continent for eight years.

Remarkably independent, she continued to care for herself and manage all household chores until she was 100 years old. She cooked, cleaned, ironed, and even bathed without assistance. In 2005, she was admitted to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Alfeizeirão Nursing Home in the municipality of Alcobaça, together with her son, who passed away in 2011. At the age of 110, she had two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Benvinda Marques Matias passed away in Alfeizerao, Leiria District, Portugal, on 23 September 2017, at the age of 111 years, 220 days.

RECOGNITION

Marques Matias’ age was verified by Gabriel Lemos and Tiago José Soares Silva, and was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 30 January 2023.

ATTRIBUTION

* “D. BENVINDA MARQUES FESTEJOU 108 ANOS” – Al Deias de Memoria, 25 February 2014

* “Benvinda Matias fez 110 anos” – Comercio e Noticias, 17 February 2016

* “Que Deus vos dê saúde” – publico.pt, 26 March 2016

* “Morreu portuguesa de 111 anos em Alcobaça” – SÁBADO, September 2017

GALLERY