In a heartwarming development, a British woman named Ethel Caterham has recently reclaimed the title of the world’s oldest person at the remarkable age of 115 years and 252 days. This milestone comes on the heels of the passing of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun who was 116 years old at the time of her death. Ethel, who resides in a care home situated in Lightwater, Surrey, reflects on her long life with humility and a touch of disbelief, expressing that she “didn’t know why there was all the fuss” surrounding her longevity.
Ethel Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, and she proudly holds the distinction of being the last surviving subject of King Edward VII. During her recent 115th birthday celebration held in August 2024, Ethel received a heartfelt letter from the King himself. The note conveyed His Majesty’s “warmest good wishes” and his joy in learning about Ethel’s fascinating personal history, marking this birthday as a “truly remarkable milestone.”
When sharing her insights on longevity, Ethel attributed her good health to a simple yet profound philosophy of life: “never arguing with anyone,” stating that she prefers to listen and do as she pleases. Her life story has now been officially recognized by both Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, a database dedicated to chronicling the lives of the world’s oldest individuals.
Reflecting on her early years, Ethel was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, the second youngest in a family of eight siblings. Her childhood in nearby Tidworth formed the foundation for a life that would span across significant historical events. She entered the workforce at 18, initially working as an au pair in India for a military family. Upon returning to the UK in 1931, she met and later married her husband, Norman Caterham, in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral. Together, they experienced the complexities of life as a military family, living in places such as Hong Kong and Gibraltar, where Ethel notably established a nursery.
Throughout her lengthy life, Ethel has witnessed some of the most monumental events of the 20th century: the sinking of the Titanic, World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and World War II. She notably drove until the impressive age of 97 and has spent the last five decades residing in Surrey. Remarkably, one of her sisters, Gladys, also shared a long life, passing away at the age of 104. Ethel is not alone in her legacy; she has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren who continue to enrich her family narrative.
At her care home, Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home, staff have celebrated Ethel’s incredible milestone, highlighting her as an inspiration to all for her strength, spirit, and wisdom. Ethel is also celebrated for being one of the oldest individuals to have survived COVID-19 after contracting the virus in 2020 at the age of 110.
Mark McKinley, the director of records at Guinness World Records, expressed his hopes to meet Ethel soon to formally present her with her certification of recognition. He noted that Ethel never sought to break records, but her remarkable age has indeed made her a figure of interest and admiration.
As communities reflect on Ethel’s extraordinary journey, her story serves as a testament to resilience and the human spirit. It resonates broadly, encouraging ideas of longevity, perseverance, and familial bonds in the face of life’s many trials and tribulations.
