Who is Ethel Caterham? All about world's oldest person living as she turns 116

Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, turned 116 on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Born on August 21, 1909, in Hampshire, England. Caterham reached the milestone quietly with her family at a care home in Surrey.

She was recognized by Guinness World Records in April 2025 as the oldest person living, according to ABC News on August 21, 2025. Caterham also holds the record as the oldest woman living and the oldest person in the United Kingdom.

Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, which manages her residence, shared a statement with Good Morning America, noting:

"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. Ethel has again chosen not to give any interviews, preferring to spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. The King may be her one concession, understandably!"

Guinness World Records also released a statement marking the day:

"Guinness World Records wishes Ethel Caterham a happy birthday! We honor her record-breaking life thus far and wish her the best as she turns 116."

More about Ethel Caterham's life

Ethel Caterham has lived through more than a century of history, with life experiences spanning continents. According to the Associated Press on May 2, 2025, she was the second youngest of eight siblings. She left England at age 18 in 1927 to work as a nanny for a British family in India, where she stayed for three years before returning home.

She later met her husband, Norman Caterham, a major in the British army, at a dinner party in 1931. The couple married in 1933 and lived abroad during Norman's postings in Hong Kong and Gibraltar before settling in the U.K. Norman died in 1976.

Together, the Caterhams raised two children, Gem and Anne. Ethel Caterham is also grandmother to three and great-grandmother to five, according to Guinness World Records, as reported by ABC News on August 21, 2025.

Ethel Caterham's secret to longevity: “Never arguing”

Caterham has previously spoken about her outlook on life, crediting it as a reason for her remarkable longevity. In May 2025, she told the Associated Press:

“Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like.”

Her care home, Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home in Camberley, celebrated her 115th birthday in May 2025 with photos of her cutting a cake while wearing a tiara marked "115," shared in a Facebook post, according to the Associated Press on May 2, 2025.

While Caterham now avoids public interviews, she continues to inspire many. As Hallmark Luxury Care Homes said in its 115th birthday tribute:

“Your strength, spirit, and wisdom are an inspiration to us all. Here’s to celebrating your remarkable journey!”

Ethel Caterham's recognition by Guinness World Records places her among a rare group of supercentenarians. She assumed the title of world's oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116 on April 30, 2025, according to ABC News.

Although Ethel Caterham is now 116, the record for the longest-lived person ever remains with Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records, as reported by the AP on May 2, 2025.

About the author

Devangee Halder is a Food and Pop culture writer at Sportskeeda. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's Degree in International Studies. A bibliophile and foodie, her academic background, with the intersection of history and cultural studies, has deepened her love for reading and writing.

With over a year of experience, including an internship at Indian Express, which she landed through correspondence with editor Raj Kumar Jha, she transitioned into her current role at this company. As a journalist covering gastronomic trends and other news from the F&B Industry, she veers away from prescriptivism, and instead prioritizes questioning of current narratives, and forwarding relevant news, ensuring they are devoid of sensationalism.

Devangee approaches food with an interdisciplinary lens, locating it vis-à-vis areas such as culture, history, memory, and economics, within which culinary traditions found fruition and subsequently flourished. When not working, she enjoys cooking and reading, alongside her newfound interest in weightlifting. Among her favorite personalities are Sarah Todd and Vikas Khanna, and she admires the late chef Jock Zonfrillo for his work on indigenous food habits and ingredients.

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Edited by Maithreyi S