Death ends longest marriage

The couple had over 100 descendants

A 103-year-old wife in the world's longest-lasting marriage has died.

Liu Yang-wan from Taiwan was married in 1917 to Liu Yung-yang, who is now 104.

Their daughter-in-law said Mrs Liu died peacefully from natural causes.

Their 86-year marriage was the longest registered with the Guinness Book of World Records, beating former record holders - an American couple - by three years.

The Taiwanese couple had more than 100 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, about 40 of which gathered at their home last year to celebrate their record.

The couple got married in their late teens, but have been part of each other's lives for even longer.

Following an old custom among poor Taiwanese families, Liu Yang-wan was sent to live with her future husband's family at the age of five, to take care of him and do household chores, relatives said.