This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23421826
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Oldest woman' in the World dies aged 115 | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A woman believed to be the world's oldest person has died at the age of 115 years and 199 days. | |
| Sant Kaur Bajwa, from Southall, west London, was born on 1 January 1898 in Pakistan, according to her passport. She has lived in the UK since 1969. | |
| Her family said they believed she was the oldest person, however they have not had this officially verified. | Her family said they believed she was the oldest person, however they have not had this officially verified. |
| The Guinness World Records said to verify a claim, it needed to see a birth certificate and a passport. | The Guinness World Records said to verify a claim, it needed to see a birth certificate and a passport. |
| Her grandson Sanjeev Singh Rai said: "Back in the day I don't know if they even issued birth certificates, but her passport has her birth date down as 1 January, 1898." | Her grandson Sanjeev Singh Rai said: "Back in the day I don't know if they even issued birth certificates, but her passport has her birth date down as 1 January, 1898." |
| Up until her death on Friday, Ms Bajwa was believed to be the oldest person in the world. | |
| According to Guinness World Records, the oldest surviving person is Misao Okawa, from Japan, who is 115 years and 99 days old. | |
| Grace Jones, who is 113, is the oldest person in the UK, according to Guiness. | |
| Secret to longevity | Secret to longevity |
| Ms Bajwa lived through three centuries, two world wars and the India-Pakistan partition. | Ms Bajwa lived through three centuries, two world wars and the India-Pakistan partition. |
| "That was a really difficult time for her," her grandson Sukhinda Singh Rai told the BBC. | "That was a really difficult time for her," her grandson Sukhinda Singh Rai told the BBC. |
| "To be uprooted from where she was born in Sialkot in Pakistan to Gurdaspur in India was hard." | "To be uprooted from where she was born in Sialkot in Pakistan to Gurdaspur in India was hard." |
| Although Ms Bajwa's children died before her, she is survived by 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. | Although Ms Bajwa's children died before her, she is survived by 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. |
| Her husband, Munsha Singh, was killed after just six years of marriage, which meant she had to bring three children up on her own. | Her husband, Munsha Singh, was killed after just six years of marriage, which meant she had to bring three children up on her own. |
| Then, in 1972, her daughter died from cancer, leaving her to care for her daughter's four children, including twin boys. | Then, in 1972, her daughter died from cancer, leaving her to care for her daughter's four children, including twin boys. |
| Mr Rai said: "As far back as I can remember she was my mother. | Mr Rai said: "As far back as I can remember she was my mother. |
| "My twin and I didn't know any different. She looked after us diligently." | "My twin and I didn't know any different. She looked after us diligently." |
| The family put their grandmother's longevity down to a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as her Sikh faith. | The family put their grandmother's longevity down to a healthy diet of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as her Sikh faith. |
| Son-in-law, Ajit Sing, who is now 86, remembers her visits to the local Sikh temple. | Son-in-law, Ajit Sing, who is now 86, remembers her visits to the local Sikh temple. |
| "She was God-fearing woman who worshipped daily and went to the gurdwara to offer prayers." | "She was God-fearing woman who worshipped daily and went to the gurdwara to offer prayers." |
| Charlene, the oldest great-grandchild said "she was the glue that has kept our incredibly large family together". | Charlene, the oldest great-grandchild said "she was the glue that has kept our incredibly large family together". |
| Eleven-year-old Pasha said: "Although it's sad that Granny has passed away but I want to celebrate her long life." | Eleven-year-old Pasha said: "Although it's sad that Granny has passed away but I want to celebrate her long life." |