Rome: Emma Morano, who at 117 was believed to be the world's oldest person and the last to be born in the 19th century, has died according to Italian media reports.

Ms Morano, who lived in northern Italy, was born on November 29, 1899, four years before the Wright brothers first took to the air. Her life spanned three centuries, two world wars and more than 90 Italian governments.

Italian news agencies ANSA and Agi said the death was reported by her friends and family.

Dr Carlo Bava told The Associated Press that Morano's caretaker had called him to say she had stopped breathing in the afternoon while sitting in an armchair at her home in Verbania, a town on Italy's Lake Maggiore.