Guinness Confirms Brazilian Woman is World's Oldest Person

The Guinness organization has confirmed that a Brazilian woman has elbowed out an elderly American as the oldest person in the world. Maria Gomes Valentim, 114, was certified as the world's oldest person, edging past US woman Besse Cooper, who is 48 days younger, the company said on its website.

Valentim, who has been a widow since 1946 and is confined to a wheelchair, is from Minas Gerais state. She credited a healthy diet with giving her a long life.

Another Brazilian woman, Sebastiana de Lourdes Silva, at a ripe old 116, has records to show she is the world's oldest woman, though the Guinness Book has not had a request to verify her documents, the company said.

Source-AFP