A 116-year-old US woman deemed the world's oldest person has died.

Jeralean Talley died yesterday at her home in the Detroit suburb of Inkster. Her daughter, Thelma Holloway, confirmed the death.

Ms Holloway said today her mother was recently taken to hospital and treated for fluid in her lungs, but was grateful to return home, "just where she wanted to be".

Ms Talley turned 116 last month. She celebrated at her church and a local office of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The Gerontology Research Group considered Ms Talley to be the world's oldest person, based on available records, followed by Susannah Jones of Brooklyn, New York.The group says Ms Jones turns 116 in July.

Ms Talley was born in Georgia in 1899. Her husband died in 1988, at age 95.

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