Ethel Caterham Tops World's Oldest Living Person List After Nun's Demise
Elderly Brit Ethel Caterham, aged 115, has claimed the title of world's oldest individual. - Elderly British resident Ethel Caterham, at the age of 115, claims the title as the world's oldest individual.
Want a long life? Follow Ethel Caterham's advice: Argue less and do what your heart desires. That's the secret behind the 115-year-old Brit's astonishing survival, currently the oldest living person on the planet!
Ethel took over the title after her predecessor, 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, bit the dust. The news came from the U.S.-based gerontological research group (GRG) who confirmed Lucas's death on Wednesday at 116 years and 326 days old, residing in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Born on August 21, 1909, in the rural village of Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Caterham now reigns supreme as the world's oldest living person. You know, while King Edward VII was still around and Frenchman Louis Blériot conquered the skies.
As a young lass, Ethel journeyed to India in the 1920s, experiencing life as an au pair for a soldier's family. Fast-forward to 1933, and she tied the knot with British Army officer Norman Caterham, bringing two lovely daughters into the world. Her hubby exited stage left in 1976, leaving Ethel with three grandkids and five great-grandkids.
King Charles III himself saluted Ethel upon her 115th birthday, admiring her remarkable feat.
So, how does Ethel manage to break centenarian records? Her secret? "Never argue! I listen and do what I want."
- Ethel Caterham
- Inah Canabarro Lucas
- Brazilian Nun
- King Charles III
- Long Life Secrets
Fascinating Facts
- Born in the British County of Hampshire - During Queen Victoria's reign, Ethel Caterham made her grand entrance to the world on August 21, 1909.
- Traveled to India - At 18, Ethel sailed three weeks to India, where she worked as a nanny for a British family and embraced local traditions like Tiffin tea.
- Married Life - Ethel married her husband, Norman Caterham, a British Army officer, in 1933 and had two daughters.
- Postings - The couple lived in Hong Kong, Gibraltar, and Surrey before settling permanently in Surrey.
Longevity Insights
- Ethel's longevity could be attributed to her philosophy: "Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like."
- She also remained physically active through gardening and walking earlier in life, though her current nursing home routine prioritizes rest.
Historical Milestones
- Lived Through: Two World Wars, the Titanic sinking (1912), six British monarchs, and the digital revolution.
- Records:
- Britain's oldest living person ever.
- Oldest validated living person globally as of May 2025.
- Ethel Caterham, currently the world's oldest living person, was born in 1909 in the British county of Hampshire during Queen Victoria's reign.
- In the 1920s, Ethel journeyed to India, working as an au pair for a British family and embracing Tiffin tea traditions.
- King Charles III admired Ethel's remarkable longevity upon her 115th birthday.
- Ethel's secret to breaking centenarian records could be her philosophy of "never arguing with anyone, [instead] listen[ing] and [doing] what [she] likes."
- Gerontological science may analyze Ethel's health-and-wellness practices related to aging, women's health, and the surviving kaiser to better understand longevity trends in the future.
