A woman born in the Hampshire village of Shipton Bellinger has officially become the oldest person in the world.
Ethel Caterham, now living in a care home in Lightwater, Surrey, reached the milestone following the recent passing of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was 116. Ethel was born on 21 August 1909 and is believed to be the last living subject of King Edward VII.
Her early years were spent in the local area, growing up in Tidworth, just across the county border in Wiltshire. One of eight children, she left the region at the age of 18 to work as an au pair for a military family in India. After returning to the UK in 1931, she met and married her husband, Norman Caterham, at Salisbury Cathedral two years later.
The couple led a life filled with travel due to Norman’s military career, being stationed in places such as Hong Kong and Gibraltar. While in Hong Kong, Ethel opened a nursery, contributing to the local community while living abroad.
Despite having lived through some of the most defining moments of the 20th century – from the sinking of the Titanic and both World Wars, to the Great Depression and the Russian Revolution – Ethel remains modest about her remarkable longevity. When she celebrated her 115th birthday in August 2024, she commented that she “didn’t know why there was all the fuss”, attributing her long life to “never arguing with anyone, listening, and doing what I like”.
Her status as the world’s oldest person has been verified by both Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest, an organisation that tracks global supercentenarians. She also survived Covid-19 in 2020, at the age of 110.
Buckingham Palace recognised Ethel’s 115th birthday with a personal letter from the King, who praised her “truly remarkable milestone” and sent his “warmest good wishes”, expressing delight in hearing about her “fascinating personal history”.
A spokesperson from Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home, where Ethel now resides, described her as “an inspiration”, saying: “What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived. Your strength, spirit and wisdom are an inspiration to us all.”
Ethel continued driving until the age of 97 and remains surrounded by family, including three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. Her sister, Gladys, also lived to the impressive age of 104, suggesting that longevity may run in the family.
From her beginnings in the quiet village of Shipton Bellinger to becoming the oldest person on the planet, Ethel Caterham’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary.
