World's Oldest Person Dies at 116 - East Idaho News

World’s Oldest Person Dies at 116

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Getty 052813 JiroemonKimuraWorldsOldestMan?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1371054907959Kyotango City Government via Getty Images(TOKYO) — Jiroemon Kimura, the oldest man in recorded history, has died. He was 116.

The Japanese government released a statement on Wednesday, saying that the resident of Kyōtango was being treated for pneumonia in the past week, when he stopped responding to treatment.  He died of natural causes, according to the statement.

Kimura, who celebrated his 116th birthday at the end of last month, was the last man alive known to be born in the 19th century, according to Guinness World Records.  He was also designated the oldest living person.

The “oldest living” distinction now belongs to 115-year-old Misao Okawa, also of Japan, a woman who was born on March 5, 1898.  The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group lists her as one of 21 women born before New Year’s Day in 1901 who are still alive and well.

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