On a quiet Thursday in Surrey, England, Ethel Caterham marked a milestone that few on Earth have ever reached: her 116th birthday. Born August 21, 1909, in the Hampshire village of Shipton Bellinger, Caterham is now recognized as the world’s oldest living person, a title she assumed in April 2025 after the passing of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was also 116. Her remarkable longevity has not only made headlines across the globe but also inspired curiosity about the life and times of a woman whose years have spanned three centuries and countless historic events.
According to Guinness World Records, Caterham is not only the oldest living person but also the oldest living woman and the oldest person in the United Kingdom. She is the last surviving subject of King Edward VII, a living link to a world that has otherwise faded into history. As BBC notes, she was born three years before the Titanic disaster and eight years before the Russian Revolution, and has lived through both World Wars. Her life has been a tapestry woven through eras of dramatic change, from the reign of Edwardian monarchs to the digital age.
Caterham’s early years were spent as the second youngest of eight siblings in Tidworth, Wiltshire. Her family’s longevity is notable—her older sister Gladys Babilas lived to 104, passing away in 2002. As a teenager, Caterham worked as an au pair in India, a formative experience that would foreshadow her later travels. In 1931, at a dinner party, she met Norman Caterham, a major in the British Army. Their marriage in 1933 opened a new chapter of adventure, with postings in India, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar. Together, they had two children, Gem and Anne, before Norman’s death in 1976.
Life, of course, brought its share of heartache. Both her children predeceased her—Gem in the early 2000s and Anne in February 2020, at age 82, after a battle with cancer. Despite these losses, Caterham’s family tree continues to grow: she is a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of five, according to Guinness World Records.
For her 116th birthday, Caterham chose, as she often has, to keep celebrations intimate. Her care home in Lightwater, Surrey, managed by Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, shared a statement on her behalf with Good Morning America: “Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year. Ethel has again chosen not to give any interviews, preferring to spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. The King may be her one concession, understandably! Thank you again for your kind wishes on this special day.”
Last year, for her 115th birthday, King Charles III sent Caterham a birthday card, a gesture she reportedly cherishes. As The Independent reports, her care home emphasized that Caterham’s desire for a private celebration is in keeping with her personality—gracious, humble, and quietly resilient. “Ethel will spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. Thank you again for your kind wishes on this special day,” the home’s spokesperson said.
What’s the secret to such extraordinary longevity? Caterham herself offered a glimpse in a 2011 interview with Britain’s Salisbury Journal: “Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.” More recently, she told The Associated Press, “Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like.” In another instance, she distilled her approach even further: “I take everything in my stride, the highs and lows. I listen but I do what I like.” It’s a philosophy that seems both simple and profound—a testament to adaptability, optimism, and a dash of stubborn independence.
Caterham’s life story reads like a history book come to life. Born during the reign of King Edward VII and the premiership of Herbert Asquith, she has been a witness to the world’s seismic shifts: wars, revolutions, technological marvels, and social transformations. She grew up in the twilight of the Edwardian era, a time when horse-drawn carriages still plied the streets, and radio was a novelty. She saw the world as a young woman in India, and later as an officer’s wife in Hong Kong and Gibraltar—experiences that broadened her horizons and deepened her resilience.
Her journey through the decades included the joys of family, the pain of loss, and the quiet satisfaction of a life well-lived. She outlived her husband and both her children, and yet, by all accounts, she has remained remarkably positive. As News18 highlights, she is the last surviving Edwardian, a living bridge to a distant past that most can only imagine.
Despite her new status as the world’s oldest living person, Caterham is quick to keep things in perspective. The record for the longest verified lifespan still belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days. Guinness World Records and the Gerontology Research Group both confirm this benchmark, which continues to stand as a testament to human endurance.
Caterham’s care home, her family, and well-wishers from around the world have all celebrated her milestone. Guinness World Records issued a special message: “Guinness World Records wishes Ethel Caterham a happy birthday! We honor her record-breaking life thus far and wish her the best as she turns 116.”
For many, Caterham’s story is a source of fascination and hope. In an era when longevity is increasingly common, her approach to life—moderation, positivity, and a willingness to embrace opportunity—offers a valuable lesson. She has lived through eras of hardship and plenty, upheaval and peace, always taking things in stride.
As she quietly marked her 116th birthday, surrounded by her family and the gentle hum of a care home in Surrey, Ethel Caterham reminded the world that history is not just a collection of dates and events, but the sum of lives lived fully, one day at a time.
