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Dona Maria is the oldest formal employee working in Brazil and was hired by the owner of Havan.

Published on 09/05/2026 at 16:38
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At 92 years old, Maria Woestehoff gained recognition from RankBrasil after returning to the formal job market at Havan in Blumenau, where she works a few times a week and became known on social media as Vó da Havan

Maria Woestehoff, 92 years old, was recognized by RankBrasil as the oldest person in Brazil with a formal employment contract, after being hired earlier this year by the Owner of Havan to work at the Rua XV de Novembro unit, in the Heart of Blumenau.

Oldest CLT in Brazil: Record recognized in Blumenau

Known on social media as Vó da Havan, Maria received the RankBrasil plaque at the place where she clocks in a few times a week. The delivery took place at the store where she works, in front of family members and Luciano Hang.

The owner of the retail chain participated in the moment. The recognition highlighted Maria’s presence in the formal job market at 92 years old and gained attention for involving an unusual re-entry into work.

Formal employment contract after viral video

Maria started at Havan on January 5, after a video of her went viral on social media. In the recording, she said she dreamed of returning to the job market and preferred to work at a Luciano Hang store.

The businessman received the video, spoke with the elderly woman’s family, and shortly after, she began working with a formal employment contract. The hiring transformed the routine of the resident of the Velha neighborhood.

Criterion Used by RankBrasil

RankBrasil considered not only Maria’s age at the time of hiring. The recognition also took into account the context of her re-entry into the formal job market, after a period without registered employment.

Vó da Havan has over 80,000 followers on social media. The projection came after the video’s repercussion and was strengthened by her presence in the store, where she became an example of energy.

Routine Restored Motivation

Emotional, Maria said that, before Havan, she was without purpose, sad, and without joy in life. After the new job, she stated that she wakes up with a desire to live, work, and contribute to the company.

She said she feels alive and well since resuming her professional routine. Her statement marked the plaque delivery and summarized the personal effect of the hiring.

Trajectory Before Being Hired by the Owner of Havan

Before the recognition, Maria had already worked as a school lunch lady and in cleaning educational units. She also worked for three decades in a doctor’s house in Blumenau.

Even after retirement, stopping never happened. A widow since she was 59, she had 15 children, is a grandmother to 31 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to 16, maintaining a history marked by work and family.

With information from NSC Total.

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Romário Pereira de Carvalho

I have published thousands of articles on recognized portals, always focusing on informative, direct content that provides value to the reader. Feel free to send suggestions or questions.

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