Oldest woman in world dies at 117

The world's oldest person, a Japanese woman, died on Wednesday, just a few weeks after celebrating her 117th birthday.

Misao Okawa died of heart failure as relatives and nursing home workers stood by her side and praised her for achieving a long, healthy life, said Tomohiro Okada, an official at her Osaka nursing home.

"She went so peacefully, as if she had just fallen asleep," Okada said. "We miss her a lot."