World's oldest woman may be 117-year-old Albanian

Qamile Marra, a 117-year-old woman in Albania, may be the world's oldest living woman if official documents showing her birth date are verified.

Documents held by her family list Marra's birth date as August 19, 1909. That would make her two days older than Britain's Ethel Caterham, who is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living woman.

Marra lives in Ferras, about 100 kilometres south of Albania's capital, and has spent almost all her life in the village. Her relatives have contacted Guinness and hold a birth certificate issued in 1945, a passport issued in 1978 and a recent identity card, all showing the same date of birth.

Her 80-year-old son Hysen said local authorities once stopped her pension when she turned 100 because they did not believe she was still alive. He said he had to provide proof, including witness statements, to resume the payments.

The Albanian government issued Marra a special state pension earlier this month to mark her age.

Marra said she remains focused on enjoying life. Her son said she is in good health and has never taken medication.