Highlights

  • On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Ethel Caterham became the world’s oldest person following the death of 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas.
  • Among some of Ethel Caterham’s longevity secrets, she says to say yes to every opportunity, and she approaches every circumstance with a positive mindset.

At age 115, British woman Ethel Caterham became the world’s oldest person following the death of 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Given her phenomenal longevity, Ethel has shared her secrets to living a long life.

Caterham, who resides in a nursing home in Surrey, England, revealed that she never argues with anyone, always listens, and does what she likes, according to an Associated Press article. Furthermore, Catheram has also stated that she takes everything in stride, both life’s highs and lows. On top of that, she recommends saying yes to almost every opportunity, because no one ever knows where it may lead. Finally, Caterham tries to maintain a positive mental attitude.

Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home’s Celebratory Facebook Post

On May 1, 2025, Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home, where Ethel resides, shared a post on Facebook celebrating the 115-year-old woman’s recognition as the world’s oldest person. The retirement home also shared photos of Ethel wearing an ornamental headpiece called a tiara with the number 115 on top. In the photos, Caterham also cut a cake shaped as the number 115 while wearing sunglasses.

“Huge congratulations to Lakeview resident Ethel on becoming the oldest person in the world! 🌍,” read the Facebook post. “What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived. Your strength, spirit, and wisdom are an inspiration to us all. Here’s to celebrating your remarkable journey! 🍾.”

Ethel Caterham’s Life History

As far as her life’s history goes, Ethel Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, on August 12, 1909. She had seven brothers and sisters and was the second youngest among her siblings. At age 18, she got her first job as a nanny for a British family living in India and travelled alone to India for this job in 1927.

Ethel met her husband, Major Norman Caterham of the British Army, in 1933. At one time, Major Norman Caterham was stationed in Hong Kong, where Ethel established a nursery to teach English, games, and crafts to British children and local children. Ethel and her husband had two daughters, Gem and Anne, before Norman Caterham died in 1976. Ethel has also outlived both of her daughters.

More Detals on Ethel Caterham

Ethel has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. She enjoys spending time in her garden and listening to classical music. Ethel is believed to be the last person alive born in 1909, the last British person born before 1913, and the oldest person to survive COVID-19, having contracted it at age 110 in 2020.

Ethel’s new status as the world’s oldest person comes on the heels of the death of Lucas—the former world’s oldest person—who passed away at age 116 on April 30, 2025. The preceding world’s oldest person before Lucas was Tomiko Itooka, who was also 116. Moreover, the oldest living person ever was Jeanne Louise Calment, who died in August 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days old.