Scientists seek clues to longevity from three Brazilian sisters over 100
Zoraide de Deus Mota, Zulina de Deus Nunes and Levita de Deus Nunes, recognized as the world's oldest living trio of sisters, attend a June 23, 2026, interview with Reuters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Zoraide de Deus Mota gets ready in front of a mirror June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mariana Tavares, a nurse, collects the blood of Zoraide de Deus Mota on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for genetic studies on longevity.
Zulina de Deus Nunes shows a fish head that she plans to use to make pirao, a traditional Brazilian dish, on June 23, 2026, in her kitchen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Zulina de Deus Nunes sits at the entrance of her home June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Zulina de Deus Nunes looks out the window of her home June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A nurse collects the blood of Zulina de Deus Nunes on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for genetic studies on longevity.
Mateus Vidigal, a researcher, collects a saliva sample from Zulina de Deus Nunes on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for genetic studies on longevity.
Mariana Tavares, a nurse, collects the blood of Levita de Deus Nunes on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for genetic studies.
Zoraide de Deus Mota stands beside Levita de Deus Nunes on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after a blood collection for genetic studies.
Zoraide de Deus Mota shows her embroidery work to a researcher from the longevity project on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Levita de Deus Nunes wears crocheted slippers, which she made herself, on June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Zoraide de Deus Mota's hand rests on a walker June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Levita de Deus Nunes' daughter assists her June 23, 2026, during an interview with Reuters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Zoraide de Deus Mota, Zulina de Deus Nunes and Levita de Deus Nunes, recognized as the world's oldest living trio of sisters, pose for a photo June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after DNA samples were collected for longevity research.
Zoraide de Deus Mota and Zulina de Deus Nunes speak June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after an interview.
A blood sample from Zoraide de Deus for genetic studies on longevity is seen June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Researcher at the University of Sao Paulo Joao Paulo Guilherme, geneticist Mayana Zatz, researcher Mateus Vidigal and nurse Mariana Tavares pose with Zoraide de Deus Mota, Zulina de Deus Nunes and Levita de Deus Nunes, recognized as the world’s oldest living trio of sisters, holding a LongeviQuest certification plaque June 23, 2026, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Findings could help us better understand why some people remain physically and cognitively resilient at exceptionally advanced ages.