Oldest woman in the world guinness
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The King may be her one concession, understandably! Gem died in the early 2000s and Anne aged 82 in 2020.
World's oldest living person celebrates 116th birthday
The world's oldest living person is celebrating turning 116 on Thursday.
Ethel Caterham, who was born Aug.
21, 1909, was recognized in April by Guinness World Records as the oldest person living, following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at 116 on April 30, 2025.
Caterham is also credited for being the oldest woman living and the oldest person in the United Kingdom.
The U.K.
native now lives in Surrey, England, in a care home managed by Hallmark Luxury Care Homes, which shared a statement on her behalf with "Good Morning America."
"Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year," the statement read.
The couple had two children, Gem and Anne. "We honor her record-breaking life thus far and wish her the best as she turns 116."
Caterham previously told The Associated Press in May that the secret to her longevity has been, in part, to take an agreeable approach to most things in life.
"Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like," Caterham said at the time.
The centenarian also told Britain's Salisbury Journal in 2011, "Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to.
One of her older sisters, Gladys Babilas, also lived a long life and died at age 104 in March 2002.
Caterham, Guinness World Records notes, was married in 1933 to her late husband Norman Caterham, who died in 1976.
Caterham outlived her kids, as Gem died in the early 2000s and Anne died of cancer in February 2020, at age 82.
Carterham is also a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of five.
.
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Still in good health
Mrs Caterham remains in good health and enjoys sitting in the garden at her care home, which has been named Ethel's Garden in her honour.
She was born in Hampshire on 21 August 1909 - the second-youngest of eight children.
Her older sister Gladys also lived a long life, having died at 104 years and 78 days in 2002.
Mrs Caterham moved to India to work as a nanny when she was 18 and often reminisces about her time there.
When she returned she met her future husband, a British Army major, at a dinner party in 1931 - the pair marrying in Salisbury Cathedral two years later.
They went to live in Hong Kong and Gibraltar when he was posted abroad, with Mrs Caterham returning to her love of children and opening her own nursery during their time in Asia.
On the couple's return to the UK - they settled in Surrey where she gave birth to their daughters.
"But we're hoping to meet her some time soon and present her with her certificate."
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British woman Ethel Caterham becomes oldest person in the world at 115
A British woman has officially become the oldest person in the world at the age of 115, according to the Guinness World Records.
Ethel Caterham, who lives in a care home in Surrey, has taken the mantle at 115 years and 252 days, LongeviQuest confirmed.
It comes after the death on 30 April of the previous record holder, Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was a 116-year-old nun from Brazil.
Mrs Caterham sets multiple records - including being the last living person to be born in 1909.
She is also the youngest person to be named the oldest woman in the last 12 years.
Mrs Caterham is also among the oldest survivors of coronavirus, having contracted it at 110 in 2020.
She has outlived her husband Norman, who died in 1976, and both her children Gem and Anne, who died after the millennium.
Asked what her secret to a long life is, she told the Salisbury Journal: "Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to.
British woman, 115, becomes world's oldest person
Stuart MaisnerBBC News, South East
A woman from the UK has become the oldest person in the world, at the age of 115 and 252 days.
Ethel Caterham, who lives at a care home in Lightwater, Surrey, reached the milestone following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, aged 116 on Wednesday.
Ms Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 and is the last surviving subject of Edward VII.
Celebrating her 115th birthday in August 2024, she said she "didn't know why there was all the fuss".
She said the secret to her longevity was "never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like".
The new record has been confirmed by Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, a database of the world's oldest people.
'Remarkable milestone'
On her 115th birthday, Ms Caterham received a letter from the King congratulating her on a "truly remarkable milestone".
The King conveyed his "warmest good wishes" and "hoped that Ethel enjoys her incredibly special day".
The letter stated that His Majesty was "heartened to learn about Ethel's fascinating personal history".
Ms Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, in Hampshire, and was raised in nearby Tidworth in Wiltshire.
She was the second youngest of eight children.
At the age of 18, she was employed as an au pair to a military family in India.
She returned to the UK in 1931 and met her future husband, Norman Caterham.
Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation."
According to Guinness World Records, Caterham was born in the village of Shipton Bellinger in Hampshire and was one of eight siblings. Here's to celebrating your remarkable journey."
Ms Caterham is also one of the oldest people to survive Covid-19, after contracting it in 2020 at the age of 110, according to Guinness World Records.
Mark McKinley, director of records at Guinness World Records, told the BBC: "Ethel never set out to be a record breaker.
"Ethel has again chosen not to give any interviews, preferring to spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. They married at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933.
Mr Caterham became a lieutenant colonel in the army, and the couple were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
In Hong Kong, Ms Caterham set up a nursery.
She has lived through the sinking of the Titanic, World War One, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression and World War Two.
She has spent the last 50 years living in Surrey and continued driving until she was 97.
One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to be 104.
She has three granddaughters and five great grandchildren.
A spokesperson for Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home, where Ms Caterham is a resident, said: "What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived.
"Your strength, spirit and wisdom are an inspiration to us all.
Thank you again for your kind wishes on this special day."
Guinness World Records also marked the occasion with a message for Caterham.
"Guinness World Records wishes Ethel Caterham a happy birthday!" the global record authority said in a statement.