A 115-year-old woman from Surrey has just become the world’s oldest living person—and she’s not shy about how she got there. Ethel Caterham, who was born in 1909, credits her incredible longevity to a simple mantra: do what you like, take life in stride, and don’t bother arguing. Now officially recognized by LongeviQuest and the Gerontology Research Group, Caterham is the first Briton in nearly four decades to hold the title.
Born in Hampshire and raised in Wiltshire, Ethel lived an adventurous life—from working as an au pair in British India to establishing a nursery in Hong Kong during her husband’s military service. She’s traveled the globe, raised a family, and spent the last 50 years in the quiet village of Lightwater. These days, she enjoys the comforts of a care home where she says the secret to her long happy life is simple, “I do what I like”. With three granddaughters, five great-grandchildren, and a sense of calm joy, Caterham is a living example that sometimes, the best way to grow old is to enjoy the ride.