BIOGRAPHY

María Cruz Martínez de Irujo was born in Izcue, Navarre, Spain, on 3 May 1911. She grew up in Izcue in a farming family as one of 11 siblings, but they never lacked for anything. Their farmhouse had a vegetable garden and animals, providing all the basic necessities for living. In 1941, she married Álvaro Balerdi and the couple had four children together. In 1941, she moved to Arazuri, where she remained active well into her centenarian years. Her husband died in 1972. At 80, she took her first plane ride.

Beginning at age 100, the local town hall began presenting her with a bouquet of flowers on each birthday. At the age of 109, she had three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A traditional woman of faith, she continued to listen to the rosary on the radio even into her centenarian years. Despite limited mobility, she would still tend to her garden and remove weeds until she was 100 years old. She also enjoyed sewing.

María Cruz Martínez de Irujo passed away in Arazauri, Navarre, Spain, on 24 August 2022, at the age of 111 years, 113 days.

RECOGNITION

On 21 December 2021, following the passing of Ángeles Álava Jiménez, she became the oldest living person in Navarre.

Her age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Una mujer “tolerante y amable” que ha vivido rodeada de su familia” – Diario de Noticias de Navarra, 15 June 2020

* “Los 110 años y dos pandemias de Mª Cruz Martínez de Irujo en Arazuri” – Diario de Navarra, 6 May 2021

* “La “abuela de Navarra” cumple 111 años en Arazuri” – Diario de Navarra, 4 May 2022

* “Muere a los 111 años María Cruz Martínez de Irujo, la abuela de Navarra” – Diario de Navarra, 24 August 2022

GALLERY