Ethel Caterham celebrating her 113th birthday in 2022. Unsure who’s to her proper, however he appears headed towards a world report as nicely | Photograph: GCG
She’s 115 years outdated and 254 days outdated right now, Could 2nd, and she or he attributes her longevity to her perspective in the direction of life. Her identify is Ethel Caterham from Nice Britain, and she or he is now thought-about to be the eldest lady on Earth for the reason that demise on Wednesday of Inah Canabarro Lucas of Brazil.
In keeping with the Gerontology Analysis Group Supercentenarian Rankings List, which precisely tracks the world’s oldest individuals, Ina died yesterday on the age of 116 years, 326 days outdated. She was born in 1908 in São Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Hallmark Lakeview Luxurious Care Dwelling in Lightwather, Surrey, the place Ethel is a resident, posted photographs of her on Fb slicing birthday cake and carrying a “115” tiara. “Big congratulations to Lakeview resident Ethel on turning into the oldest particular person on the planet! What an unimaginable milestone and a real testomony to a life well-lived,” the publish reads.
‘I hear and I do what I like’
Ethel has claimed her longevity is all the way down to her perspective towards life. “I’ve taken the whole lot in my stride, the highs and lows,” she advised BBC Radio Surrey in 2020, including she has a maxim of “by no means arguing with anybody”. She mentioned, “I hear and I do what I like.”
Final surviving topic of King Edward VII
“Your energy, spirit, and knowledge are an inspiration to us all. Right here’s to celebrating your outstanding journey!” it provides. It’s believed that Ethel is the final surviving topic of King Edward VII, who was the King of the UK and the Emperor of India from 1901 till he died in 1910.
Born on 21 August 1909 in Shopton Bellinger, in Hampshire, England, Ethel Caterham presently resides in Ash Vale, Surrey. She grew to become the oldest recognized dwelling particular person within the UK on 22 January 2022, following the demise of 112-year-old Mollie Walker.
Raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire, Ethel was the second-youngest of eight siblings. Her sister Gladys lived to 104. In 1927, on the age of 18, Ethel launched into a journey to India, the place she labored as a nanny for a British household for 3 years.
Caterham met the love of her life, Norman (1905–1976), a significant within the British Military, at a cocktail party. After their marriage, they resided in Harnham, England, earlier than the military despatched them to Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
Throughout her time in Hong Kong, Ethel Caterham established a nursery for native and British youngsters, the place she taught English, video games, and crafts. In Gibraltar, she and her husband began a household, finally elevating two daughters within the UK. Sadly, Norman handed away in 1976.
The oldest recognized survivor of COVID
Notably, Ethel continued to drive till she was 97 years outdated. At present, she resides in a care house in Ash Vale, Surrey. Additionally value noting is that she contracted COVID-19, however, as is obvious, she efficiently recovered to grow to be one of many oldest recognized survivors of the illness.
Guinness World Records formally confirmed Ethel’s standing because the world’s oldest particular person following Canabarro Lucas’s demise.
The oldest particular person ever whose age has been independently verified is Jeanne Calment (1875–1997) of France, who lived 122 years and 164 days.
The oldest verified man ever is Jiroemon Kimura (1897–2013) of Japan, who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days.
The oldest dwelling man is João Marinho Neto, from Brazil. He was born on October 5, 1912, and is 112 years and 210 days outdated as of Could 2, 2025. The Gerontology Analysis Group and Guinness World Records have validated his age.
