BIOGRAPHY

Jandyra Faria dos Santos was born in the district of Pendanga in Ibiraçu, Espírito Santo, Brazil, on 23 August 1914. At the age of six, she went with her parents to Vitória. At 18, she graduated from Colégio Nossa Senhora Auxiliadora and returned to the district of her birth to work as a teacher.

At the age of 28, she returned to Vitória to work as a clerk. Within months, she transitioned to become an administrative agent and eventually rose to the position of head of Benefit Concession at the Instituto Nacional de Previdência Social (INPS), now known as the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS), where she served for 25 years. She retired at the age of 55.

At the age of 41, she married and had a daughter around 1958. At the age of 104, she had a grandson and a one-year-old great-grandson, as well as five living siblings. Her husband passed away when she was 54 years old.

At 104 years old, she was reported to be a fan of both politics and football, particularly supporting Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas. Being completely lucid, she enjoys playing crosswords, attending church, going for walks with her family, and watching Botafogo play football. Regarding secrets to a long life, she said the following: “It is necessary not to drink, not to smoke, not to party, to practice charity, to preserve friendships and to live a happy life. Dancing forró helps and being a Botafogo fan is essential.” It is reported that her goal is to live to age 120.

On 23 August 2024, she celebrated her 110th birthday, attaining supercentenarian status.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Iara Souza, Gabriel Ainsworth, and Filipe Lopes, and validated by LongeviQuest on 30 August 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Dona Jandyra, 103 anos, um exemplo de vitalidade e carisma” – Viva Previdência, March 2018

* “A receita de quem chegou aos 104 anos” – A Gazeta, 24 August 2018

GALLERY