Ethel May Caterham received a congratulatory message from João Marinho Neto of Brazil, the world’s oldest living man on her 116th birthday. This was the first recorded exchange between the world’s oldest confirmed woman and man. In September 2025, she also met King Charles III and shared a warm greeting with him. Ethel May Caterham’s life shows remarkable endurance and longevity, spanning three centuries and standing as a symbol of extraordinary human resilience.
The World Oldest Living Person, Ethel May Caterham
Ethel May Caterham was born on August 21, 1909. She is a British supercentenarian. She, at the age of 116 years and 64 days, has become the world’s oldest living person after the passing of Inah Canabarro Lucas on 30 April 2025. She is also the oldest British person ever recorded and the last surviving person born in the 1900s decade.
How old is the World Oldest Living Person in world?
She is 116 years and 64 day old.
The World Oldest Living Person, Ethel May Caterham Early Life
Ethel May Collins was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, to be the second youngest of eight children. She grew up in the nearby town of Tidworth. Her family has a history of longevity, with one of her sisters having lived to 104. Ethel went to British India at the age of 18, where she worked as an au pair for a military family until 21.
The World Oldest Living Person, Ethel May Caterham Husband
In 1931, upon her return to England, Ethel was introduced to Norman Caterham in the year of 1905–1976 at a dinner party. They were married at Salisbury Cathedral, where Norman had previously been a choirboy. Norman went on to be a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army Pay Corps.
The World Oldest Living Person, Ethel May Caterham Family
Ethel May Caterham lived at Harnham, Salisbury with her husband Norman Caterham prior to posting to Hong Kong and Gibraltar. In Hong Kong, Ethel operated a nursery school with an emphasis on English, craft, and recreational pursuits. In Gibraltar, she had two daughters, who were subsequently brought up in England.
The World Oldest Living Person, Ethel May Caterham Later Life
Ethel stayed active late in life. She drove until the age of 97 and played contract bridge. Her two daughters died before her. She lived with her younger daughter Anne until Anne died in February 2020, when Ethel then moved to an Ash Vale care home in Surrey and eventually Lightwater. On 7 October 2022, upon the death of Rose Eaton, she became the final recorded person living at the time of Edward VII’s reign. She reached 115 years old in August 2024, becoming the third authenticated British person to live to that age and the first since Annie Jennings in 1999.
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