Emma Morano, an Italian woman believed to have been the oldest person alive and the last survivor of the 19th century, died on Saturday at the age of 117, the Italian media reported.

Morano, born on November 29 1899, died at her home in Verbania, northern Italy, the reports said. "She had an extraordinary life, and we will always remember her strength to help us move forward in life," the mayor of Verbania was quoted as saying.