World’s oldest living woman, 116, reveals a surprising secret to her long life

When someone reaches an extraordinary age, people naturally wonder about their secret. For 116-year-old Ethel Caterham, the answer isn’t a special diet or a trendy routine. Instead, she credits her long life to something simple: avoiding arguments and doing what she likes.

Ethel Caterham, born in 1909, is officially the oldest living person in the world, recognized by Guinness World Records and LongeviQuest. Her life stretches across modern history—she has lived through the Titanic disaster, two World Wars, humanity’s first steps on the moon, the internet age, and even TikTok.

Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, and raised in Wiltshire, she was the second youngest of eight children. Longevity runs in her family, with one sister living to 104. At just 18, Ethel traveled to British India to work as an au pair, beginning a life full of adventure.

She spent four years as a nanny between India and the UK, embracing both British and Indian traditions. In 1931, she met her future husband, Norman Caterham, a British Army major. They married in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral. His career took them to Hong Kong and Gibraltar, where Ethel founded a nursery teaching English, games, and crafts.

In Gibraltar, the couple began their family and later settled in Surrey to raise their daughters, Gem and Anne. Norman passed away in 1976, but Ethel continued to live independently and remained active in her community.

Even in her later years, she faced remarkable challenges. At 110, she survived Covid-19, making a full recovery. Her calm, steady approach to life became her trademark.

Ethel gained national and global recognition, becoming the UK’s oldest living person in 2022 and the world’s oldest verified person in 2025. King Charles III personally congratulated her, praising her extraordinary milestone.

Now living in a Surrey care home, Ethel is celebrated for her resilience, spirit, and remarkable journey—a life lived with grace, strength, and quiet determination.