The world’s oldest living person, British great-grandmother Ethel Caterham, celebrated her 116th birthday on Thursday, 21 August 2025, marking yet another extraordinary milestone in a life that spans more than a century of global change.
Caterham, who resides in a care home in Surrey, England, became the world’s oldest person earlier this year following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas in April, who also reached the age of 116.
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, a village in southwestern England, Caterham was just five years old when World War I began. Her lifetime has encompassed two world wars, the rise and fall of empires, the moon landing, and the digital age.
According to both the Gerontological Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest, she now holds the official title of the world’s oldest living person.
Quiet Celebration, Royal Recognition
Her care home confirmed that Caterham would be celebrating the day quietly with her family, enjoying the occasion “at her own pace.”
“Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year,” the home said in a statement.
While she has declined to give interviews, staff noted she may make an exception for King Charles III, who previously sent her a congratulatory letter on her 115th birthday, calling it a “truly remarkable milestone.”
A Life of Simplicity and Resilience
Ethel Caterham has attributed her long life to a simple philosophy:
“Never arguing with anyone! I listen and I do what I like,” she once said.
She outlived both her daughters and her husband, Norman, who passed away in 1976. Despite the personal losses, she continued to live independently well into her late 90s, only giving up driving just before turning 100. She also played bridge for many years and even survived a bout of COVID-19 at age 110 during the 2020 pandemic.
She is survived by three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, and her life continues to inspire both her local community and people around the world.
Record-Holding Legacy
While Caterham is currently the oldest living person, the record for the oldest person ever remains with Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days, passing away in 1997.
Britain also recently mourned the loss of John Tinniswood, who was the world’s oldest living man for most of 2024 before dying at 112.
As Ethel Caterham celebrates her 116th birthday, she not only sets a remarkable record but also offers a shining example of endurance, resilience, and the quiet strength of a life well lived.
