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Last Updated: Wednesday, 24 January 2007, 17:57 GMT
World's oldest person dies at 115
The world's oldest person, Emiliano Mercado del Toro, has died aged 115 at his home in Puerto Rico.

His great-niece, Dolores Martinez, said he died like a little angel, and that his great great-nephew and a carer were with him at the time.

Mr Mercado del Toro had been having difficult breathing recently but was alert before his death.

He became the world's oldest person last month when 116-year-old Elizabeth Bolden died in Tennessee.

Mr Mercado del Toro had been married three times but never had children.

He was born in Puerto Rico when it was still a Spanish colony, was drafted into the US Army in 1918 but did not serve because World War I ended while he was still in training.

Later he worked in the island's sugar cane fields.

A woman in Connecticut, Emma Faust Tillman, who is 114, is now believed to be the oldest living person.


SEE ALSO
World's oldest person dies at 116
12 Dec 06 |  Americas
World's oldest woman dies at 115
19 Jan 07 |  Americas



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