Jaipur, July 29 - Gayatri Devi, the erstwhile maharani of Jaipur who was once considered one of the world's most beautiful women and always stayed in the limelight despite the fall of royalty in India, died here Wednesday. She was 90.

She was admitted to the Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital (SDMH) here Tuesday after complaining of breathing problems. Her condition deteriorated Wednesday morning and she was kept on a ventilator. She passed away around 4 p.m., a hospital official said.

She has been taken to City Palace in Jaipur, the abode of her step-son and erstwhile Jaipur royal Bhawani Singh. Her funeral is expected to take place at 2.30 p.m. Thursday.

'She had developed gastric problems in London and was admitted to a hospital there. She expressed her desire to return and was flown in an air ambulance to Jaipur on July 17. Since then she was in the hospital where she was successfully treated for her gastric problems,' an official of SDMH said.

'However, on Tuesday she complained of breathing problems and we again admitted her and she was kept on a ventilator. She, however, succumbed to her illness and died peacefully.'

Gayatri Devi's death comes a day after the passing away of actress Leela Naidu, both of whom were named by Vogue among the 10 most beautiful women in the world.