Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old resident of the United Kingdom, has become the oldest person in the world after the previous record holder passed away.
Caterham was born on August 21, 1909. She is also the oldest resident of the United Kingdom in history and the last person to have lived through the reign of King Edward VII.
The long-lived woman has two daughters, three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. In a 2022 interview, Caterham emphasised that the most important things in life are family and the memory of oneself in the minds of one’s descendants, rather than material possessions. According to her, it is important to have loved ones who will take care of you in your old age.
During her lifetime, she saw six British monarchs and more than 20 prime ministers come and go. Ethel Caterham now lives in a nursing home and is regularly visited by her children and grandchildren.
The previous record holder, Brazilian nun Ina Canabarro Lucas, died the day before at the age of 116.
As of May 1, 2025, the oldest living man in the world is Brazilian João Marinho Neto, born on October 5, 1912. His age, now 112, has been confirmed by the Gerontological Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest.
