Maria Esther Capovilla, the oldest person on Earth according to the Guinness World Records, passed away at age 116.

Capovilla died Aug. 27 in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador, two days after getting sick, said her granddaughter Catherine Capovilla.

Shortly before she died, she kept repeating, "I want to be young again" and at times called to a dead daughter, asking her "to come, take me with you," another granddaughter Cecilia Icaza said.

Robert Young, senior consultant for Gerontology for Guinness World Records, said Elizabeth Bolden, of Memphis, Tennessee, is the likely successor as the oldest person.

Capovilla was confirmed as the oldest living person on Dec. 9, 2005, after her family sent details of her birth and marriage certificates to the British-based publisher. Emiliano Mercado Del Toro, of Puerto Rico, retains the title as oldest man. He turned 115 last Aug. 21.

The Japan Times Weekly: Sept. 2, 2006
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