Who Is Ethel Caterham? Biography of the World’s Oldest Living Person
Ethel Caterham, a British supercentenarian born on 21 August 1909, is now recognised as the world’s oldest verified living person. Her life spans over a century of profound change, and her age has been officially validated by leading gerontology authorities.
Born Ethel May Collins in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, she grew up in Tidworth, Wiltshire, as the second youngest of eight siblings. Her journey from a quiet English village to the global record books is a story of resilience and remarkable longevity.
As of 2025, she holds the title of the oldest British person in recorded history and is the first person from the UK to reach the age of 116. Her current residence is a care facility in Surrey, England.
Who Is Ethel Caterham? The World’s Oldest Living Person
Alive (as of August 2025)
116 years, 345 days (as of late July 2025)
World’s Oldest Living Person (since April 2025)
Surrey, England, UK
- Ethel Caterham is the last surviving person born in the reign of King Edward VII (1901-1910).
- She became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025 at age 115, following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas.
- Her age has been officially validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and recognised by Guinness World Records.
- Despite her advanced age, reports from her 116th birthday indicate she remains in good spirits at her Surrey care home.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ethel May Caterham (née Collins) |
| Date of Birth | 21 August 1909 |
| Place of Birth | United Kingdom |
| Marital Status | Widowed (husband: Norman Caterham) |
| Number of Children | 2 (daughters) |
| Official Recognition | Guinness World Records, GRG |
Is Ethel Caterham Still Alive? Her Current Status and Age
Yes, Ethel Caterham is alive as of the latest available reports. Her status as the world’s oldest living person was confirmed by multiple authoritative sources following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas on 30 April 2025. In August 2026, BBC reported on her 116th birthday and explicitly referred to her as the world’s oldest known living individual.
How Old Is Ethel Caterham?
She was born on 21 August 1909, making her 116 years old at the time of the most recent reports. Her age has been rigorously validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and is widely cited across major news outlets.
When Is Ethel Caterham’s Birthday?
Her birthday is 21 August. Media coverage in 2025 and 2026 consistently reports celebrations at her care home in Surrey on this date.
How Old Will Ethel Caterham Be in 2026?
She turned 116 on 21 August 2025. In 2026, she will turn 117 if she remains alive. No official projections beyond that are available.
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records both validate supercentenarian ages using documented birth records, census data, and official identity documents. Ethel Caterham’s age meets these strict criteria, placing her among the most rigorously verified individuals in longevity science.
Who Are Ethel Caterham’s Family Members? Children, Grandchildren, and Husband
Was Ethel Caterham Married?
Yes. She met Norman Caterham in 1931 after returning from India, and they married at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933. They lived together in locations including Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
Does Ethel Caterham Have Children?
She had two daughters. Both pre-deceased her, according to biographical sources.
Does Ethel Caterham Have Grandchildren?
Yes. One source reports she has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Who Are Ethel Caterham’s Daughters?
Their specific names are not publicly disclosed in the available sources. It is known that they pre-deceased their mother.
Details about Ethel Caterham’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren are limited in public sources. This is consistent with the privacy typically afforded to family members of record-holding supercentenarians. No further information beyond the three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren mentioned in one biographical reference is available.
What Happened to Ethel Caterham’s Brother?
The available sources confirm that Ethel Caterham was the second youngest of eight siblings, born to Alfred Collins and Fanny Shears. While her brother is mentioned in the context of her large family, exact details about his birth year, age at death, or current status are not widely reported in public sources. This remains one of the less documented aspects of her biography.
What Did Ethel Caterham Look Like When She Was Young?
No specific photographs of a young Ethel Caterham are present in the supplied research materials. However, her early life is well-documented: at 18, she worked as an au pair for a military family in India. She returned to the UK in 1931. Her life as a young woman involved significant travel, including living in Hong Kong and Gibraltar with her husband. She drove until age 97, which speaks to her vitality in later decades.
Recent media coverage from 2025–2026 includes images from her birthday celebrations at the Surrey care home, showing her at her current age.
What Longevity Records Does Ethel Caterham Hold?
What Records Does Ethel Caterham Hold?
- World’s oldest living person (since April 2025)
- Oldest British person in recorded history
- First person in the UK to reach age 116
- Last surviving person born in the 1900s decade
Who Verifies Ethel Caterham’s Age?
Her age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and recognised by Guinness World Records. References to her record appear across multiple secondary sources, including BBC News, Wikipedia, and dedicated supercentenarian databases.
Ethel Caterham’s Life Timeline
- 1909: Born on 21 August in the UK.
- 1927: At age 18, worked as an au pair for a military family in India.
- 1931: Returned to the UK and met Norman Caterham.
- 1933: Married Norman Caterham at Salisbury Cathedral.
- 1930s–1960s: Lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar with her husband; raised two daughters.
- ~2000s: Entered a care home in Surrey, England.
- 2018: Survived COVID-19 at age 110.
- 2024: Became the oldest person in the UK.
- April 2025: Became the world’s oldest living person after the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas.
- 21 August 2025: Celebrated her 116th birthday.
Certainty vs. Uncertainty: What Is Known and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ethel Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 and is currently 116 years old. | The exact birth year and current status of her brother is not widely reported in public sources. |
| She is validated by the Gerontology Research Group and Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person as of 2025. | Specific names or locations of her grandchildren are not in the primary sources reviewed. |
| She has two daughters, both of whom pre-deceased her. | Details of her early career (if any) before marriage are minimal. |
| She lives in a care home in Surrey, UK. | The exact date of her husband’s death is not publicly available in the provided inputs. |
Historical Context: The Significance of Ethel Caterham’s Longevity
Ethel Caterham’s birth in 1909 places her in an extraordinary historical position. She has lived through two world wars, the rise of modern technology, and the reigns of five British monarchs. Her status as the last surviving subject of King Edward VII adds a specific historical dimension that appeals to both general audiences and history enthusiasts.
Her recognition by both the Gerontology Research Group and Guinness World Records provides high confidence in her age and title. The public interest in her family details reflects a common curiosity about the personal lives of record-holders, which are often less documented than their official statistics.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Ethel Caterham became the oldest living person in April, following the death of a Brazilian nun.”
BBC News (21 Aug 2025)
“Ethel May Caterham (née Collins; born 21 August 1909) is an English supercentenarian who, at the age of 116 years, 345 days, has been the world’s oldest living person since 2 April 2025.”
Wikipedia
“Ethel Caterham became the oldest known living person in Surrey. Recognised by Guinness World Records.”
Gerontology Research Group (GRG)
For further reading, explore the biography of Queen Victoria – The Monarch Who Defined an Era, another long-lived British historical figure. For generational context, see the article on Millennial Generation – Age Range, Key Traits and Comparisons for 2026.
Summary: The World’s Oldest Living Person
Ethel Caterham, born 21 August 1909, is the world’s oldest verified living person at age 116. As the oldest British person in recorded history and the first UK resident to reach 116, her life spans a remarkable period of global change. While her family details are partially documented, her age and record are thoroughly validated by the Gerontology Research Group and Guinness World Records. The next major milestone will be her 117th birthday in August 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethel Caterham
When was Ethel Caterham married?
Specific date not provided in public sources, but she was married to Norman Caterham, likely in the 1930s.
Does Ethel Caterham have any living siblings?
Public records do not indicate any living siblings. She had a brother, but his current status is unconfirmed.
What is Ethel Caterham’s diet or secret to longevity?
No specific diet or longevity secrets have been officially reported or cited in the provided sources.
Where is Ethel Caterham’s care home located?
The exact name and address of the care home are not disclosed in the provided top SERP results for privacy reasons. It is located in Surrey, England.
How old was Ethel Caterham when she became the world’s oldest living person?
She was 115 years old when she assumed the title in April 2025.
Did Ethel Caterham outlive her children?
Yes. Reports indicate she outlived both of her daughters.
What is Ethel Caterham’s full name?
Her full name is Ethel May Caterham, née Collins.
How many grandchildren does Ethel Caterham have?
One source reports she has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
What was Ethel Caterham’s job when she was young?
At age 18, she worked as an au pair for a military family in India.
Is Ethel Caterham recognised by Guinness World Records?
Yes. Multiple sources state she is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest verified living person.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.