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People File • Supercentenarian

Ethel Caterham

Ethel Caterham is an English supercentenarian born on 21 August 1909.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Ethel Caterham is an English supercentenarian born on 21 August 1909. She is the oldest verified living person in the world and the oldest person in the United Kingdom.

What it is

Ethel May Caterham (née Collins) was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She is a former teacher and currently resides in a care facility in Lightwater, Surrey. She is the last surviving validated person born in the 1900s decade.

Why it matters

Caterham became the world's oldest verified living person on 30 April 2025, following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas. She also holds the record as the oldest British person in recorded history, surpassing Charlotte Hughes in April 2025. Her 115th and 116th birthdays attracted international media coverage.

Key details

Caterham attributes her longevity to “taking everything in my stride, the highs and the lows.” She has also been quoted as saying she avoids arguing and does what she likes. For her 115th birthday, she received a card from King Charles III.

In short

  • Oldest verified living person in the world since 30 April 2025.
  • Oldest British person in recorded history.
  • Born 21 August 1909 in Hampshire, England.
  • Credits longevity to taking life's highs and lows in stride.

Quick questions

How old is Ethel Caterham?
As of 2026, she is 116 years old.
Is Ethel Caterham the oldest living person?
Yes. She has been recognized as the world's oldest verified living person since 30 April 2025.
What is Ethel Caterham's secret to longevity?
She has said it is “taking everything in my stride, the highs and the lows,” and also avoids arguing and does what she likes.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Caterham
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, and claims about her status as oldest verified living person and oldest British person.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5p7xv4zeyo
    Supports: Birth date, recognition as world's oldest living person, residence in Surrey, and birthday card from Charles III.
  3. ABC News — https://abcnews.com/GMA/Living/worlds-oldest-living-person-celebrates-116th-birthday/story?id=124810626
    Supports: Birth date, recognition as oldest living person in the world and the United Kingdom, and longevity quote about an agreeable approach to life.
  4. Associated Press — https://apnews.com/article/britain-oldest-person-advice-f8859cfadb7faf50fc4a034304f92f4b
    Supports: Birth date, recognition as oldest living person, and quote about avoiding disputes and doing what she likes.