Kathrine Frich
Ethel is the last known survivor of Edward VII’s time.
Ethel is the last known survivor of Edward VII’s time.
Ethel Caterham, a British woman born in 1909 during the Edwardian era, has officially become the world’s oldest living person following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at age 116.
Now 115, Ethel is the last known survivor of Edward VII’s time.
Her Secret to Longevity
When asked about the secret to her long life, Caterham offered a simple philosophy: stay calm, listen to others, and follow your own path.
“I never argue with anyone,” she once said. “I just listen and do what I enjoy.”
Born in Edwardian England
Ethel was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, on August 21, 1909. She grew up in Tidworth, Wiltshire, as one of eight children specifically, the second youngest.
Her life spans three centuries and countless historical moments.
From British India to Domestic Bliss
At age 18, she worked as an au pair for a military family in British India.
Three years later, she returned to England and met her future husband, Lieutenant Colonel Norman Caterham. They married in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral.
A Life of Service and Travel
Ethel and her husband were stationed in Gibraltar and Hong Kong during his military career.
While abroad, she founded a kindergarten, one of her many contributions to community life across continents.
A Long Life in Surrey
After her husband’s passing in 1976, Ethel settled in Surrey, where she has lived for the past 50 years.
She now resides in a care home in Lightwater, where she is beloved by staff and family alike.
A Family That Spans Generations
Ethel is a mother of two daughters, a grandmother to three, and a great-grandmother to five.
She speaks fondly of her family, emphasizing that “leaving memories for your children and grandchildren” is what matters most.
“I’ve Accepted It All—The Good and the Bad”
In a 2020 interview with BBC Radio Surrey, Ethel reflected on her life with grace and gratitude. “I’ve accepted everything,” she said.
“The good times and the bad. I’ve traveled the world, and now I’m in a wonderful home where everyone rushes to look after me.”
Material Things Don’t Matter
In another interview, she stressed the importance of human connection over possessions.
“In the end, material things don’t matter at all,” she said. “All you need is someone to care for you.”
First Briton to Hold the Title Since 1987
Ethel is the first British citizen to hold the title of the world’s oldest living person since 1987, when 114-year-old Anna Williams held the honor.
Her milestone is now being recognized by Guinness World Records and longevity research organizations worldwide.