At 116 years old, Ethel Caterham just celebrated a birthday that makes her the world’s oldest living person, sharing a simple secret to her extraordinary longevity:
“I never argue with anyone.”
On August 21, 2025, the British supercentenarian marked this incredible milestone at Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, surrounded by family and friends. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the Oldest Person Living, Ethel’s life is a testament to resilience, positivity, and a stress-free approach to living. Born Ethel May Collins on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Ethel has lived through historic moments, from the sinking of the Titanic to the moon landing. She attributes her long life to avoiding conflict and embracing every opportunity.
“I take everything in my stride and say yes to what comes my way,”
She shared in a recent interview. Her philosophy of staying calm and connected with loved ones has clearly worked, as she outlived her husband, Norman Caterham, and their two daughters, Gem and Anne, while remaining close to her three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
Ethel’s remarkable journey includes adventures far beyond her small English village. At 18, she traveled alone to British India in 1927 to work as an au pair for a military family, immersing herself in local traditions. Later, while living in Hong Kong with her husband, a British Army officer, she founded a nursery school for British and local children, teaching English and crafts. Her independence shines through in stories like driving her husband’s Triumph Dolomite until she was 97. Even more astonishing, Ethel survived COVID-19 in 2020 at age 110, making her one of the oldest known virus survivors.
Her record as the world’s oldest living person was confirmed by LongeviQuest, a supercentenarian research organization, after the passing of Brazil’s Inah Canabarro Lucas on April 30, 2025. Ethel also holds the title of the oldest British person ever, surpassing Charlotte Hughes, who lived to 115 years and 228 days. She is the last verified person born in the 1900s and lived under six British monarchs, starting with King Edward VII. On her 115th birthday, King Charles III sent her a personal letter, praising her “truly remarkable milestone.”
Ethel’s 116th birthday celebration was a joyful affair. A special message from João Marinho Neto, the world’s oldest living man, marked a historic exchange between the oldest living woman and man.
Today, Ethel enjoys classical music, relaxing in “Ethel’s Garden” at her care home, and listening to birds. Her life challenges stereotypes about aging and shows the value of staying active and positive.
