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World

Japanese woman, the world's oldest person, dies at 117, a month after celebrating birthday

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    FILE - In this March 4, 2015 file photo, Japan's Misao Okawa, then 116, who is recognized as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records is celebrated by Ward Mayor Takehiro Ogura at a nursing home in Osaka, western Japan ahead of her birthday on March 5. Okawa died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, a few weeks after celebrating her 117th birthday. (AP Photo/Kyodo News, File) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

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    FILE - In this March 5, 2015 file photo, Japan's Misao Okawa who is recognized as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records, eats cake, helped by her nursing home staff member, during her 117th birthday celebration event at a nursing home in Osaka, western Japan. Okawa died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, a few weeks after celebrating her 117th birthday. (AP Photo/Kyodo News, File) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT (The Associated Press)

TOKYO – The world's oldest person has died nearly a month after celebrating her 117th birthday.

Her nursing home says Misao Okawa died of heart failure early Wednesday.

Okawa, born in Osaka on March 5, 1898, was recognized as the world's oldest person by Guinness World Records in 2013.

Her Osaka nursing home says she lost her appetite about 10 days ago. She stopped breathing as her grandson and nursing home officials attended.

Okawa, the daughter of a kimono maker, said at a birthday celebration last month that her life seemed rather short.

Okawa married her husband, Yukio, in 1919, and they had three children — two daughters and a son. She was survived by four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1931.

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