A Brazilian woman thought to be the world's oldest person has died just weeks short of her 115th birthday.

Maria Gomes Valentim died today in the south-eastern city of Carangola.

On May 18, Guinness World Records ruled that Mrs Valentim was 48 days older than the person previously considered the world's oldest human, Besse Cooper of Monroe, Georgia.

Guinness verified that Mrs Valentim was born July 9, 1896, in Carangola, where she lived all her life.

She married her husband, Joao, in 1913. He died in 1946.

Mrs Valentim is survived by four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Her son died aged 75.

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