The world's oldest person, 115-year-old woman Gertrude Baines, has died in Los Angeles, a hospital official confirmed yesterday.

"She passed away this morning at 7.25 a.m. (1425 GMT)," Emma Camanag, administrator at the Western Convalescent Hospital said.

Ms Baines, who became the planet's longest living human in January following the death of Portuguese woman Maria de Jesus, celebrated her 115th birthday in April with music, cake, and congratulations from US President Barack Obama. Ms Baines was 115 years 158 days old at the time of her death, which was most likely the result of heart failure, hospital officials said.

According to the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, the world's oldest living person is now 114-year-old Japanese woman Kama Chinen, from Okinawa.

Ms Baines - who attributed her longevity to her religion and clean-living - attracted worldwide headlines last November when she became the oldest African-American to vote for Mr Obama during the presidential election.