Supercentenarian Profile

Luzia Cavalcante Mota

Born:

1917-12-01

Marruás, Tauá, Ceará,

Brazil

Current Residence:

Tauá, Ceará,

Brazil

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Luzia Cavalcante Mota is a Brazilian semi-supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Luzia Cavalcante Mota was born on 1 December 1917 at Fazenda Xique-Xique, in the district of Marruás, Tauá, Ceará, Brazil, as the daughter of Cícero Januário Marquinho and Maria Romeira Cavalcante. She was one of 11 children, with siblings Abaltar (died at 69), Azarias (1920–2025, aged 105), Celestina, Cícera, Ezequiel (died at 92), Francisca (died at 89), José (died at 89), Laudilina, Maria “Mariinha” (1913–2017, aged 103), and Nilson.

She married Miguel Teixeira Lima on 14 September 1937 at the Chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Vila Vera Cruz. Together they had 14 children, of which 3 died during infancy. They also adopted 3 children.

She was known for her generosity, charity, and warm hospitality—everyone who entered her home was made to feel welcome. She also served as the midwife in the area where she lived, helping to save many lives. Her remedy that was customary for healing practices and treating illnesses was the sap of the Pereiro tree.

She was a hardworking woman, who worked both domestically and in agriculture, according to herself, she worked in the fields for 59 years. When her husband Miguel passed away on 4 July 1996, she moved to Tauá by mutual agreement with her children, and she has lived there ever since.

According to her granddaughter, she and her husband were well known and loved throughout the region. During Holy Week lunches, the grandchildren were not allowed to bathe or sweep the house. Meals were abundant and included foods such as pamonha, green corn, a wide variety of vegetables, canjica, green beans, and many other dishes. She often dressed in men’s clothing to go to the farm, where she weeded the fields, planted crops, harvested, and carried out all kinds of farm work. In addition to accompanying her husband to the fields, she took care of the household and carried water in a can or gourd balanced on her head to fill clay pots.

Her granddaughter described her as a fighter and a very brave woman—someone of great determination. Everyone who knew her had deep respect for her. She took great care of herself and was never known to be sick.

According to her nephew, Dr. Fabrício, she maintained an active and independent life even in advanced age. She lived alone by choice, and prepared her own meals. However, at the age of 105 she suffered a fall that resulted in a hip fracture in the trochanteric region. Given her age, there was considerable uncertainty about whether surgery should be performed and whether she would survive the procedure. Nevertheless, she expressed a clear wish to undergo surgery, placing her trust in her nephews, and the family agreed. The procedure was carried out by her nephews. On the day of the surgery, the orthopedic surgeon was Dr. Fabrício. Anesthesia was administered by Dr. Zé Neuton, central access was performed by the general surgeon Dr. Rodrigo, and, for safety reasons, she was admitted to the ICU under the care of Dr. Diego. The operation was successful.

As of December 2025, she had 7 living children, 2 living adopted children, 75 grandchildren, 145 great-grandchildren, 47 great-great grandchildren, and 3 great-great-great grandchildren. Four of her siblings were still living: Celestina (87), Nilson (91), Cícera (96), and Laudilina (103).