World's oldest person dies in L.A. at 115 [Updated]

The world’s oldest person died today at a Los Angeles hospital at age 115.

Gertrude Baines passed away at 7:25 a.m. at Western Convalescent Hospital, director of admissions Juan Valencia confirmed.

[Updated at 9:34 a.m.: Our full obituary has been posted. Here's an excerpt:

Gertrude Baines, a former maid who was born before the discovery of penicillin and was the world's oldest person, died today in Los Angeles. She was 115.

She died at Western Convalescent Hospital, according to the hospital's administrator, Emma Camanag.

The Shellman, Ga., native, whose father was believed to have been a slave, was born April 6, 1894, when the U.S. flag had 44 stars and Grover Cleveland was president. She married at a young age and later divorced. Her only child, a daughter, died of typhoid at 18. Baines had outlived every one of her relatives.

Read the rest: Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest person, dies at 115]

-- Corina Knoll

Photo: Melvin Daignault, left, wishes Gertrude Baines a happy 115th birthday at Western Convalescent Hospital in L.A. on April 6. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Video: Voting for Obama  |  On her 115th birthday

For Gertrude Baines, reaching 115 isn't old hat

Milestones during the life of Gertrude Baines

At 114, her only complaint is about the food

Comments

[Chris Jones]

While it a great accomplishment to live a long full life, it is also worth noting that America has over 95,000 centenarians (yes, the most of any country! We don't have to go to primitive poverty places around the globe to get some great long-living tips!). Let's get to know these precious modern interesting seniors while they are alive ... see adlercentenarians.org and elsasownbluezone.com. Happy, healthy, active living at 100 and beyond is all around us! Believe it!