World's oldest person dies

A Portuguese woman thought to be the world’s oldest living person died aged 115 today.

Maria de Jesus, who was born on September 10, 1893 and was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records and the Gerontology Research Group as the world’s oldest person, died in an ambulance near the town of Tomar.

Mrs De Jesus, who outlived three of her six children and had 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, had eaten breakfast normally but was being taken to hospital because of a swelling, her daughter Maria Madalena said.

Corvelo Sousa, president of the town council of Tomar, confirmed the death.

“I regret the death of this lady, she really was the sweetest person,” said town councillor Ivo Santos.

Mrs De Jesus was widowed when she was 57 and lived to reach 115 years and 114 days.