Born Sept 10, 1893, Mrs Maria de Jesus became the world's oldest living person after the death of American Edna Parker on Nov 26, also aged 115.

A family member told the Lusa news agency that Mrs de Jesus died 'just after 10am (6pm Singapore time) while en route to hospital.

Mrs De Jesus was born in a poor area in Urquiera, close to Ourem in central Portugal. She started working in agriculture at the age of 12 and never went to school, remaining unable to write and read for her entire life.

After marrying, she moved to the town of Corujo with her husband where she brought up her six children.

Mrs De Jesus never 'fell ill, nor took any medication', her daughter Maria Madalena told Lusa.

After the death of Mrs Maria de Jesus, American Gertrude Baines, born April 6, 1894, becomes the world's oldest person, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

The Los Angeles-based organisation keeps a database of people worldwide who are more than 110 years old. -- AFP