LONDON. Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old woman from England, has officially been recognized as the world’s oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). Her secret? “Never arguing with anyone,” she says, just listening and doing what she likes.
Caterham earned the title after the passing of 116-year-old Brazilian nun and teacher Sister Inah Canabarro on Wednesday.
“Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like,” Caterham told reporters from her nursing home in Surrey, southwest of London.
Born on August 21, 1909, in the village of Shipton Bellinger in southern England, Caterham was the second youngest of eight children. Her life spans across generations of history — born five years before the start of World War I and having lived through remarkable social and global change.
Adventure seems to have always been part of her life. At 18, she traveled to India in 1927 to work as a nanny for a British family. She remained there for three years before returning home to England.
According to the GRG, she met her husband, Norman, a British army major, at a dinner party in 1931. Their life together took them to various postings, including Hong Kong and Gibraltar. They had two daughters and eventually settled in the U.K. Norman passed away in 1976.
The Hallmark Lakeview Luxury Care Home in Camberley, where Caterham now resides, celebrated her milestone with a cake and a special “115” tiara. In a Facebook post, they wrote:
“Huge congratulations to Lakeview resident Ethel, on becoming the oldest person in the world! What an incredible milestone and a true testament to a life well-lived. Your strength, spirit, and wisdom are an inspiration to us all. Here’s to celebrating your remarkable journey!”
While Ethel Caterham now holds the title of the world’s oldest living person, the record for the longest verified human lifespan still belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old, according to Guinness World Records.
Caterham’s story, marked by resilience, travel, and quiet wisdom, continues to inspire across generations.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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