Oldest Catering Business Celebrates 116 Years
- Ethel Caterham, born Ethel May Collins on August 21, 1909, in Chippenham Bellers, Wiltshire, England, quietly celebrated her 116th birthday on Tuesday, August 21, 2025.
- Caterham, now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, is the last verified person born in the 1900s decade and the oldest British person ever recorded.
- The celebration was a private affair, enjoyed with family at her care home in Surrey, Southern London, United kingdom.
Ethel Caterham, 116, Celebrates Life as teh World’s Oldest Person
Table of Contents
Published august 22, 2025
A Century and a Sixth: A Remarkable Milestone
Ethel Caterham, born Ethel May Collins on August 21, 1909, in Chippenham Bellers, Wiltshire, England, quietly celebrated her 116th birthday on Tuesday, August 21, 2025. Her milestone comes just months after assuming the title of the world’s oldest living person following the passing of 116-year-old Brazilian nun, Inah Canabarro Lucas, in April 2025.
Caterham, now officially recognized by the Guinness World Records, is the last verified person born in the 1900s decade and the oldest British person ever recorded.
A Quiet celebration with Family
The celebration was a private affair, enjoyed with family at her care home in Surrey, Southern London, United kingdom. Hallmark Care Homes, where Mrs. Caterham resides, released a statement expressing gratitude for the outpouring of well wishes. While she generally declines interviews, a conversation with King Charles III is reportedly a possible exception.
This isn’t the frist time the Royal Family has acknowledged Mrs. Caterham’s longevity.King Charles III has a tradition of sending congratulatory letters to British citizens celebrating thier 100th birthdays, and previously sent a message for her 115th birthday. Whether a further message or visit will occur remains unconfirmed.
Living Through History
Born five years before the outbreak of World War I, Ethel Caterham’s life spans nearly an entire century of global change. She was born during the reign of King Edward VII, witnessing immense social, political, and technological shifts throughout her lifetime.
The Longevity Club: Caterham and Beyond
While Ethel Caterham currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living person, she isn’t the longest-lived human ever recorded. That distinction belongs to Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before her death in 1997.
| Oldest People Ever Recorded | Age at Death |
|---|---|
| Jeanne Louise Calment | 122 years, 164 days |
| Ethel Caterham (Current) | 116 years, 0 days (as of August 22, 2025) |
Secrets to a Long Life
When asked about the secret to her remarkable longevity, Mrs.Caterham offered simple, yet profound advice: “Do not argue with anyone, listen, and do what you want to do.” She also noted she only stopped driving at the age of 100.
A Legacy of Family
Mrs. Caterham has outlived her daughters, and is a grandmother to three, and a great-grandmother to five.