World's oldest woman celebrates 115th birthday

Gertrude Baines, the world's oldest living person, has turned 115 as a crowd of well-wishers, including US President Barack Obama, greeted her on her birthday.

With music, cake and a letter from Obama, Baines received a proclamation from the Guinness Book of World Records acknowledging her as the world's oldest person.

In the letter, Obama wished happy birthday to Baines, who has said she plans to vote for the President again in 2012.

Baines was also visited by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on her birthday yesterday. Schwarzenegger called her a "national treasure."

Baines became the world's oldest living person on January 2 after a 115-year-old Portuguese woman died.

Baines has outlived every one of her relatives, including her daughter who died of typhoid at the age of 18. When Baines was born, Grover Cleveland was President and the US flag had only 44 stars.

Though Baines has enjoyed stable health in recent years, lately she has struggled with her appetite and shed a few pounds, Los Angeles Times reported.

"We've seen her health decline a bit, but she's a very strong woman," said hospital administrator Emma Camanay.

Baines, who worked as a maid in University of Ohio dormitories until her retirement, has lived at the Convalescent Hospital for more than 10 years.