Jovita Maria de Jesus was born in Formiga, Minas Gerais, Brazil on 4 December 1904 (claimed 1900). Her parents were José Lino Alves and Rita Maria de Jesus. She married Joaquim Vital da Fonseca and had at least one daughter: Luzia.

Jovita Maria de Jesus passed away in Pirenópolis, Goiás, Brazil, on 18 August 2015, at the age of 110 years, 257 days (claimed 114 years, 257 days). She had been living in Pirenópolis for the last 40 years of her life.