Ethel May Caterham, the UK’s oldest living person and the world’s officially recognised oldest woman, celebrated her 116th birthday on August 21, 2025.
Britain’s eldest resident and the globe’s officially oldest woman, celebrated her 116th birthday with relatives at her Lightwater, Surrey residence last week.
Born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, in 1909, she arrived during Edward VII’s reign, making her the final surviving individual from that period. Throughout her remarkable life, Ethel has observed two World Wars, the emergence of the internet, and six British monarchs.
Exceptional longevity seems to be embedded in her bloodline. Her sibling, who also enjoyed an extraordinarily lengthy life, achieved 107 years – a stunning feat that highlighted the Caterham family’s legacy of endurance and extended lifespan.
However, Ethel has dramatically exceeded even that accomplishment, now positioning herself amongst the rare few in history to reach 116 on August 21.
Despite her advanced years and historic achievement, Ethel has consistently maintained her modest demeanour. She admits she never anticipated surviving this long, and attributes her longevity not to complex regiments or peculiar eating habits, but to her straightforward life philosophy and her approach to relationships.
As she expressed simply: “Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like.”
This mindset of tranquillity and self-reliance has steered her through both personal victories and worldwide upheavals. Wisdom from over a century of Experience.
When looking back on her lengthy life, Ethel has revealed that she accepts whatever comes her way, refusing to allow challenges to defeat her. As she puts it: “I’ve taken everything in my stride, the highs and the lows.”
Her strength is complemented by an attitude of receptiveness and optimism. She maintains that seizing chances and keeping equilibrium have been vital to her health.
She said: “Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.”
Representatives from UK live-in care experts Alderberry Care suggest that Ethel’s mindset mirrors what they regularly witness amongst the most elderly individuals in their care. A company representative revealed that people who achieve extraordinary longevity frequently demonstrate similar characteristics: a serene perspective, an unwillingness to focus on the negative, and a capacity to welcome life’s possibilities with equilibrium and restraint.
They observed that Caterham’s straightforward outlook of steering clear of disputes, remaining upbeat, and preserving autonomy corresponds closely with what they notice in many of their most robust clients. They said that rather than being merely individual eccentricities, these mindsets seem to be significant factors in achieving a long life.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
#UKs #oldest #woman #shares #secret #long #life #listen
