Maria Paschoalina de Castro was born on 2 May 1911 (claimed 5 April) in Conceição do Rio Verde, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
She is of Native American descent. Her parents were either freed slaves or children of freed slaves. She had three siblings, and her parents resided in Valinhos, a locality near Conceição do Rio Verde. She had 13 children.

As of May 16, 2024, she lives in Lambari, Minas Gerais (BRA).

Aged 106 (claimed 107) in 2018.

Aged 111.