Ethel Caterham is three months away from turning 116 years old, and she wears her supercentenarian badge proudly. On April 30, the 115-year-old became the world’s oldest living woman following the passing of Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun who died at the age of 116. The rare milestone means Caterham is now a Guinness World Records holder. And she is sharing her knowledge with the world, letting others in on her top longevity secrets.
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Caterham was born on Aug. 12, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, according to a profile feature by LongeviQuest. She is the second youngest of eight kids; her eldest sister, Gladys Babilas, lived to celebrate her 104th birthday in 2002.
At age 18, she traveled by ship to India after being hired as a nanny for a wealthy British family. The sea voyage, which she completed alone, took three weeks.
She and her husband, Major Norman Caterham of the British Army, tied the knot in 1933. His job took them to Hong Kong, where she founded a nursery for both local and British children. The couple welcomed two daughters, Gem and Anne. Caterham has outlived all her immediate family, though she maintains a close relationship with her three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
Following Ann’s death in 2020, Caterham moved into a care home. She remains "active and fiercely independent," playing bridge and strolling through the facility’s gardens, which have since been renamed "Eden’s Garden." In fact, Caterham only recently gave up driving at the age of 97.
So, what is her number one secret for living a long and healthy life?
"Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like," Caterham told the Associated Press.
She echoed this philosophy in an interview with BBC Radio Surrey. "I’ve taken everything in my stride, the highs and lows," she said, per The Guardian. "I do what I like."
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Admittedly, she teased that the outpouring of admiration she receives from those at her care home is also a morale booster. "I’ve been all over the world and I’ve ended up in this lovely home, where everyone is falling over themselves for me, giving me everything I want," she added.
At 115 years and 252 days old, Caterham was recognized by Guinness World Records, which bestowed her the title of "Oldest Person Living." LongeviQuest has credited Caterham with several other age-related achievements. These include:
- In January 2022, she became the oldest living person in the U.K.
- In August 2024, she became the oldest living person in Europe.
- She is the last living person born in the 1900s.
- On April 7, 2025, she broke the record for "oldest Briton in recorded history," becoming the first to do so in 32 years.
- After getting COVID-19 at 110 years old, she is the oldest person to survive the infectious disease.
"Becoming the world’s oldest living person is an extraordinary testament to her resilience, longevity, and the legacy she continues to inspire," LongeviQuest said of Caterham’s "remarkable milestone."
