Whenever someone reaches an age most people can barely imagine, the first thing everyone wants to know is what kept them going for so long.
Usually the answer ends up being some trendy food or drink that captures the media’s imagination, but 116-year-old Ethel Caterham credits something entirely different.
And she’s convinced that her unique secret played a major role in her becoming the oldest woman alive.
Born in 1909
At 116, Ethel Caterham is now officially recognized as the oldest living person on the planet. This status has been verified by both Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, the international organization that documents and researches people who live past 110.
But her life is far more fascinating than a statistic. Ethel has lived through some of the most defining moments in modern history: the Titanic disaster, both World Wars, the moon landing, the collapse of the Berlin Wall, and the entire evolution from early telephones to the internet, smartphones, and apps like TikTok.
She was born on August 21, 1909, in the village of Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire, and spent her childhood in Tidworth, Wiltshire, where she was the second youngest of eight siblings.
Longevity seems to run in her blood. One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to be 104.
By the time Ethel reached 18, she had already begun an adventure that set her apart. She traveled to British India to work as an au pair for a military family — a remarkable experience for a young woman in that era.
Ethel remembered what it was like to be waited on by household staff and to live within a mix of British and Indian customs, from festive Christmas gatherings to enjoying Tiffin and afternoon Tea. She spent four years caring for children as a nanny in both India and the United Kingdom before crossing paths with the man she would eventually marry. She met Norman Caterham, a British Army major, at a dinner party in 1931.
They were married two years later, in 1933, at Salisbury Cathedral, a place that held personal significance for Norman because he had been a choirboy there in his youth. Over time, Norman advanced to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps. The couple first lived in Harnham near Salisbury, but military assignments later brought them to Hong Kong and Gibraltar. During their time in Hong Kong, Ethel established a nursery for both local children and British families, where she taught English, games, and arts and crafts.
Their time in Gibraltar marked the beginning of their family. Afterward, they moved back to Surrey, where they raised their two daughters, Gem and Anne. Norman passed away in 1976.
A life full of turning points — and unexpected moments
Ethel has endured and overcome challenges that would have overwhelmed many others. In 2020, when she was 110 years old, she became ill with Covid-19 — a virus known to be especially dangerous for older adults — yet she recovered completely.
What does she credit for her remarkable longevity?
“Never arguing with anyone. I listen and then I do what I like,” she told the BBC. Straightforward advice, but coming from someone with so much life experience, it carries weight.
A legacy unlike any other
Ethel’s exceptional age has not gone unrecognized. In 2022, she became the oldest person living in the United Kingdom. Later, after the passing of Brazil’s Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas in April 2025, Ethel became the oldest verified person in the world.
When she celebrated her 115th birthday, King Charles III sent a personal letter, commending her on what he described as a “truly remarkable milestone” and offering his “warmest good wishes.” By the time she turned 116 in August 2025, she had even shared a brief exchange with the king in person, and she reminisced about seeing his investiture back in 1969.
On August 21, 2025, she celebrated her 116th birthday, becoming the first person from the United Kingdom to ever reach that age.
Ethel continued driving until the age of 97, played contract bridge long after turning 100, and held on to her independence for as long as possible. She lived with her daughters for many years before eventually moving into a care home in Surrey, following the death of her younger daughter, Anne, in 2020.
The staff at her care facility honored her remarkable achievement with a heartfelt tribute:
“Your resilience, your spirit, and your wisdom inspire every one of us. Here’s to honoring the extraordinary path you’ve walked.”
Ethel Caterham isn’t just someone who holds a world record — she represents a life richly lived, marked by strength, happiness, and the remarkable ability to face both triumphs and hardships with grace. Share this story on Facebook to recognize and appreciate this exceptional woman!