Martina Sánchez Soto was born in Cerro Agudo, Mocorito, Sinaloa, Mexico on 30 January 1911. She moved to three other locales in Sinaloa at various points of her life: El Burrion, where her husband is from; Guamuchil, where she did much of her work (housework, grinding coffee, pounding meat); and Guasave, where she ultimately settled with her family.

Sánchez Soto has met notable historical and cultural figures in Mexico throughout her life. She reportedly met Agustin de Iturbide as he was traveling through Guamuchil during the Mexican Revolution and met Pedro Infante before he became well known in Mexican music and cinema.

As of her 107th birthday in 2018, Sánchez Soto was physically frail but lucid and alert. She had difficulty walking unassisted but was able to transport herself using a walker or a wheelchair. She had limited her physical activity at this time but reserved long walks for special occasions, such as going to her Catholic congregation after celebrating her birthday with her family.

Martina Sanchez Soto died on 8 January 2023 in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, at the age of 111 (claimed 112) years, 343 days.