https://longeviquest.com/2026/01/yolanda-beltrao-de-azevedo-brazils-oldest-person-turns-115/

Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo, Brazil’s Oldest Person, Turns 115

Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo, the oldest living person in Brazil, and the fifth-oldest living person in the world, celebrated her 115th birthday yesterday in Maceió, Alagoas. Among those that attended were her daughter, two daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Biography

Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo was born in Coruripe, Alagoas, on 13 January 1911, as the first of 15 children.

On 18 July 1928, she married Francisco de Araújo Azevedo, a proprietor who would serve as mayor of Coruripe from 1947 to 1950. He would later have a school named after him. They had four children: Maria Isa Beltrão de Azevedo Cavalcanti (1929–2016), João Beltrão de Azevedo (1932–2025), Sister Yolanda Maria Beltrão de Azevedo (17 July 1933 – present), and José Beltrão de Azevedo (1931–2005). She was a devoted housewife who dedicated her life to caring for her family.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, she shared that she ate a variety of foods but avoided passion fruit juice as it caused her stomach discomfort. Her pastimes include reading books, praying the rosary, and spending time with her family.

She has one surviving sister – the youngest sibling of the 15 – Maria Salete Beltrão de Castro (born on 15 March 1933.

Longevity

Her age was verified by Iara Souza and Gabriel Ainsworth, and validated by LongeviQuest on 27 March 2024, becoming the first documented supercentenarian from the state of Alagoas.

On 24 September 2025, following the passing of 114-year-old Izabel Rosa Pereira, she became the Oldest Living Person in Brazil, as well as the oldest known living person in South America.

On 27 December 2025, she received the LongeviQuest Trophy in recognition of her exceptional longevity and her status as Brazil’s oldest living person.

A remarkable moment in Brazilian longevity history occured on 9 January 2026, when João Marinho Neto, the world’s oldest living man (who resides in Brazil), at the age of 113, sent birthday wishes to Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo. This wonderful feat was made possible by Valéria Marinho, João’s granddaughter, and Ben Hincliffe, LongeviQuest researcher. João was delighted to take part in sending his personal congratulations to Brazil’s oldest woman.