Ethel Caterham, a British woman living in Lightwater, Surrey, has now become the world’s oldest living person at 116 years old. Born on 21 August 1909, Caterham has seen many of the most important events in modern history, including the Titanic sinking, the Russian Revolution, and both World Wars.
She is also the last living person who was a subject of King Edward VII, making her a link to the early 20th-century British monarchy. King Charles III sent her a birthday card in 2024, and her milestone has gained global attention.
Her story shows the amazing mix of long life, strength, and history, inspiring people everywhere to think about human life, how society changes, and the strong spirit of those who live through more than a hundred years of change.
Childhood in Hampshire and Wiltshire
Ethel Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, as the second youngest of eight children. Growing up in a big family in early 20th-century England meant learning responsibility, teamwork, and strength from an early age. Raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire, she saw a simple village life at a time of social change and new industries.
Her childhood came during big changes like electricity and the first cars, shaping the early years of a girl who would live through more than a century of inventions.
These early experiences likely built her adaptability and strength, qualities that help people live longer and reflect a time when patience, family values, and cleverness were needed to survive life’s challenges.
Career and international life
As a teenager, Ethel Caterham worked as an au pair in India. This job gave her independence and responsibility at a young age, while also helping her learn about another culture.
Later, she lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar with her husband Norman, who was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army.
These travels let her experience different climates, foods, languages, and traditions, making her flexible and open-minded qualities that experts say can help people live longer. Living in other countries during times of change also gave her a direct view of world events and added to her life experience.
Witness to a century of change
Ethel Caterham’s life covers many of the biggest events in the last 100 years. Born three years before the Titanic sank in 1912, she saw the Russian Revolution in 1917 and lived through both World Wars.
She has watched empires rise and fall, the start of airplanes for travel, the growth of computers, and huge progress in medicine. Her story shows how strong and adaptable people can be when facing change and uncertainty. As a living witness to these times, she gives us a rare view of how society has grown.
In 2024, King Charles III sent her a birthday card for her 115th birthday, showing recognition of her special life. This honor links her back to King Edward VII and highlights how society values people who live to such great ages.
Family, lifestyle, and inspiration
Today, Ethel Caterham lives in a care home in Lightwater, Surrey. She enjoys spending time with her family and close friends. She likes celebrating birthdays quietly and calmly, which matches a stress-free lifestyle that doctors say helps people live longer.
Her family thanks everyone for their kind wishes and support, noting how love, friendship, and strong family bonds keep her healthy in old age. While Caterham is now the oldest living person, the record for the oldest verified human belongs to Jeanne Louise Calment from France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.
Still, Caterham’s age is very rare, as only a few people in history have lived past 115. Her life teaches us about the keys to long life such as family, health, adaptability, and resilience.
Scientists studying people like her hope to learn how humans can live longer and healthier, giving inspiration and guidance to the world.
