A 115-year-old British woman has officially become the oldest person in the world, as confirmed by LongeviQuest and Guinness World Records. Ethel Caterham, who resides in a care home in Lightwater, Surrey, reached this remarkable milestone at the age of 115 years and 252 days following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was 116, on April 30, 2025.
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Caterham is the last living person born during the reign of King Edward VII. She was raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire, as the second youngest of eight children. Her longevity has been attributed to her positive outlook on life. During a recent interview, she shared her secret to a long life: "I listen and I do what I like" and emphasized, "never arguing with anyone."
Caterham celebrated her 115th birthday in August 2024, an event marked by a letter from the King, who congratulated her on this "truly remarkable milestone" and expressed his warmest good wishes. Reflecting on the attention her age has garnered, she remarked, "I didn't know why there was all the fuss!"
In her youth, Caterham moved to India at the age of 18 to work as an au pair for a military family. She returned to the UK in 1931, where she met her future husband, Lieutenant Colonel Norman Caterham, at a dinner party. The couple married in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral, where Norman had been a choirboy. Their life together took them to various locations due to Norman's military postings, including Hong Kong and Gibraltar, where Ethel opened a nursery.
Throughout her life, she has witnessed significant historical events, including the sinking of the Titanic, both World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. She continued to drive until the age of 97 and has lived in Surrey for the past 50 years. Sadly, Norman passed away in 1976 after more than four decades of marriage. Caterham has two daughters, Gem and Anne, both of whom have since died, along with her husband.
Despite these losses, Caterham remains a vibrant presence in her care home, which recently honored her by naming a garden "Ethel's Garden" in her honor. She enjoys spending time outdoors and is often found relaxing in the garden. She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren, and her family has been a significant source of joy in her life.
In addition to her status as the oldest living person, Caterham is also one of the oldest survivors of COVID-19, having contracted the virus at the age of 110 in 2020. Mark McKinley, director of records at Guinness World Records, noted, "Ethel never set out to be a record breaker. But we're hoping to meet her sometime soon and present her with her certificate."
As the first Briton to hold the title of the world’s oldest person since 1987, when Anna Williams held the record at 114, Caterham's story resonates with many. Her life encapsulates a century of change, resilience, and the importance of family. She has often expressed her belief that family is the most important thing in life, stating, "Possessions don’t matter a bit in the end – all you need is someone to look after you."
With her remarkable journey, Ethel Caterham continues to inspire those around her, reminding us all of the value of a positive attitude and the importance of cherishing our loved ones.
