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Ethel Caterham, World’s Oldest Person, Turns 116. Her Secret? Listen, But Do What You Like
News18.com ^ | Aug 22 2025 | Mallika Soni

Posted on 08/23/2025 3:34:22 AM PDT by texas booster

Ethel Caterham, born in 1909, celebrated her 116th birthday in Surrey, She is now the world’s oldest living person.

Ethel Caterham, the last surviving Edwardian and officially the world’s oldest living person, marked her 116th birthday surrounded by family at her care home in Surrey. Born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Ethel Caterham came into the world during the reign of King Edward VII and the premiership of Herbert Asquith.

Ethel Caterham, the second youngest of eight siblings, grew up in the twilight of the Edwardian era. She became the world’s oldest living person in April following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was also 116.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS:
Ethel Caterham married British Army Major Norman Caterham in 1931, a match that took her to postings in Hong Kong and Gibraltar. They had two children together before Norman’s death in 1976, leaving her a widow for nearly half a century. Asked about the secret to her longevity, she replied simply, “I take everything in my stride, the highs and lows. I listen but I do what I like."

Her care home in Lightwater said Ethel Caterham had chosen to mark the day quietly. A spokesperson said, “Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year. She has again chosen not to give any interviews, preferring to spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. The King may be her one concession, understandably."

Last year, King Charles III sent Ethel Caterham a card to mark her 115th birthday. Though Ethel Caterham is now the oldest living person, the record for human longevity still belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.

1 posted on 08/23/2025 3:34:22 AM PDT by texas booster
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To: texas booster

2 posted on 08/23/2025 3:40:44 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: texas booster

Happy Birthday to a woman who was born the same year as my dear grandfather (passed away in 1984 from asbestos related cancer).


3 posted on 08/23/2025 3:50:41 AM PDT by OttawaFreeper ("The Gardens was founded by men-sportsmen-who fought for their country" Conn Smythe, 1966 )
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To: Sirius Lee

I listen but I do what I like.”

.......

Story of my life.


4 posted on 08/23/2025 3:54:58 AM PDT by Chickensoup
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To: texas booster

The oldest, yet the SSA roles listed how many people older than her?


5 posted on 08/23/2025 4:10:49 AM PDT by Z28.310 (does not comply well with others)
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To: Sirius Lee

The Rule of Cat


6 posted on 08/23/2025 4:26:26 AM PDT by bigbob (If thou doth eff around, thou wilt findeth out)
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To: Sirius Lee

I’m pretty sure God decides when they’re going to die.


7 posted on 08/23/2025 4:27:12 AM PDT by roving
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To: OttawaFreeper

“””””Happy Birthday to a woman who was born the same year as my dear grandfather”””””

She and your grandfather were born in the same year that Geronimo died, they were both in their 20s in the year of Wyatt Earp’s death.


8 posted on 08/23/2025 4:34:51 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: texas booster

Wait, what...?

Wasn’t she also the queen of the White House press corps?

Or corpse.


9 posted on 08/23/2025 4:37:44 AM PDT by one guy in new jersey
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To: texas booster

“””””” the record for human longevity still belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.”””””””`

Calmet living to 122 is the reason for perhaps the greatest Lawyer story.

$$$——In 1965, aged 90 and with no heirs left, Calment signed a life estate contract on her apartment with civil law notary André-François Raffray, selling the property in exchange for a right of occupancy and a monthly revenue of 2,500 francs (€380) until her death.——$$$

Raffray died on 25 December 1995, by which time Calment had received more than double the apartment’s value from him, and his family had to continue making payments.”


10 posted on 08/23/2025 4:43:18 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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mark


11 posted on 08/23/2025 5:08:10 AM PDT by Bigg Red ( Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.)
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To: texas booster
IMG-7072
12 posted on 08/23/2025 6:02:49 AM PDT by broken_clock (Go Trump! Prayers answered!)
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To: texas booster

At the time she was born, the University of Southern California’s football team was known as the Fighting Methodists. In 1909 the Wesleyans beat the Whittier College Poets 22-2 but played the Occidental College Tigers to a 0-0 tie.


13 posted on 08/23/2025 6:05:48 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: roving

A very vague article. My interest? Is she a believer? With England’s attacks on anything Christian, I suspect they would leave that out.


14 posted on 08/23/2025 6:16:24 AM PDT by delta7
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To: texas booster

Pretty dangerous being the oldest living person. Nobody seems to survive very long in that position.


15 posted on 08/23/2025 6:21:17 AM PDT by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: broken_clock

ROFLMAO !!! She reminds Me of our Paternal Grandmother who We called Mom-Mom, Born in 1901. She smoked unfiltered Camel Cigarettes, drank Bloody Mary’s or a Screwdriver daily ate bacon and eggs ate damned near raw hamburgers. She lived to be 103. Outlived all 3 of Her Sons.


16 posted on 08/23/2025 8:39:54 AM PDT by mabarker1 ((Congress- the opposite of PROGRESS!!! I’m a fraud, hypocrite & liar. I'm a member of Congress!! C)
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To: mabarker1

That photo is a favorite too. Glad to give you a fond recall :^)


17 posted on 08/23/2025 9:23:49 AM PDT by broken_clock (Go Trump! Prayers answered!)
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To: mabarker1

Once you hit 100 smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

You can’t take them with you.

Lol.


18 posted on 08/23/2025 9:25:45 AM PDT by cgbg (It was not us. It was them--all along.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

19 posted on 08/24/2025 8:01:42 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (NeverTrumpin' -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
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