A woman from the UK has become the oldest person in the world, at the age of 115 and 252 days. Marking only the second time a person from the UK has achieved this feat, Charlotte Hughes (1877 - 1993) who lived to 115 years and 228 days old being the first.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
"But we're hoping to meet her some time soon and present her with her certificate."
Britain has the Oldest Person in the World
posted on 2/5/25
I find stuff like this so fascinating. It’s so hard to fathom that there is a person alive who was alive when the following was the case…
The First World War hadn’t happened
No one had heard of Adolf Hitler or Lenin
The Titanic hadn’t sunk
Russia had a Tsar and Germany had a Kaiser
The Ottoman Empire still existed
Edward VII was on the throne
posted on 2/5/25
A huge Happy Birthday to Ethel
posted on 2/5/25
comment by palmers_spur (U8896)
posted 26 minutes ago
I find stuff like this so fascinating. It’s so hard to fathom that there is a person alive who was alive when the following was the case…
The First World War hadn’t happened
No one had heard of Adolf Hitler or Lenin
The Titanic hadn’t sunk
Russia had a Tsar and Germany had a Kaiser
The Ottoman Empire still existed
Edward VII was on the throne
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Saw Spurs win a major trophy.
Nothing against Spurs but that was an open goal 😉
posted on 2/5/25
Thought this might be about sandy
posted on 2/5/25
comment by H von H. (U16981)
posted 37 minutes ago
A huge Happy Birthday to Ethel
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Birthday is 24th August.
posted on 2/5/25
August 21st*
posted on 2/5/25
comment by Baz tard - ineos your face (U19119)
posted 2 hours, 29 minutes ago
Thought this might be about sandy
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 2/5/25
comment by BraveheartTyke (U6173)
posted 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
August 21st*
----------------------------------------------------------------------
and don't forget it !
posted on 2/5/25
See you there H von H.
posted 3 weeks, 1 day ago
comment by palmers_spur (U8896)
posted on 2/5/25
I find stuff like this so fascinating. It’s so hard to fathom that there is a person alive who was alive when the following was the case…
The First World War hadn’t happened
No one had heard of Adolf Hitler or Lenin
The Titanic hadn’t sunk
Russia had a Tsar and Germany had a Kaiser
The Ottoman Empire still existed
Edward VII was on the throne
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spurs had won the cup though 10 years earlier in 1901.