Understanding the Pursuit of Extreme Longevity
Studying supercentenarians offers fascinating insights into healthy aging. While a longer lifespan is a universal aspiration, only a handful of people reach the extraordinary age of 110 or more. This verified list of who are the top 10 oldest people alive provides a snapshot of the most aged individuals in the world at this moment, according to reputable organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG). The constantly shifting nature of this list reflects the very end of the human lifespan, where each passing month brings new changes to the rankings.
The Verified List: World's Oldest Living People (as of September 23, 2025)
The following table lists the world's oldest living people whose ages have been officially validated by longevity researchers, such as the Gerontology Research Group.
| Rank | Name | Birth Date | Age | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethel Caterham | August 21, 1909 | 116 years, 33 days | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Marie-Rose Tessier | May 21, 1910 | 115 years, 125 days | France |
| 3 | Naomi Whitehead | September 26, 1910 | 114 years, 362 days | United States |
| 4 | Izabel Rosa Pereira | October 13, 1910 | 114 years, 345 days | Brazil |
| 5 | Lucia Laura Sangenito | November 22, 1910 | 114 years, 305 days | Italy |
| 6 | Andrée Bertoletto | January 1, 1911 | 114 years, 265 days | France |
| 7 | Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo | January 13, 1911 | 114 years, 253 days | Brazil |
| 8 | Shigeko Kagawa | May 28, 1911 | 114 years, 118 days | Japan |
| 9 | Beatriz Ferreira Duarte | June 21, 1911 | 114 years, 94 days | Brazil |
| 10 | Bonita Gibson | July 4, 1911 | 114 years, 81 days | United States |
Life and Legacy of the Oldest Verified Person
Ethel Caterham, born in 1909, is the world's oldest living person. Her life spans more than a century of immense technological and social change. She became the oldest person in the United Kingdom in 2022 and, following the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas in April 2025, ascended to the top of the global list. Caterham credits her longevity to simple habits like staying active and never arguing. She has lived through two world wars and the reign of five British monarchs, with longevity appearing to run in her family, as a sister also lived to be 104.
Factors Influencing Extreme Longevity
While there is no single secret to reaching supercentenarian status, researchers have identified several potential contributing factors, drawing on the life stories of people like Ethel Caterham and others who came before her.
- Genetics: A significant number of supercentenarians come from families with a history of long lifespans, suggesting a strong genetic component. Ethel Caterham and her sister are one such example.
- Lifestyle and Diet: Many individuals on the list, like the late Tomiko Itooka of Japan, were known for active lifestyles and relatively healthy diets. However, some have also defied typical health advice, illustrating that factors beyond our control play a major role.
- Mental Disposition: The power of a positive mindset and low stress levels is often cited. Thelma Sutcliffe, a former oldest American, famously credited her longevity to not worrying, a sentiment echoed by Ethel Caterham.
- Resilience: Surviving major global events like pandemics and wars requires remarkable resilience, a common thread in the lives of those on the list. Many have weathered significant personal and historical challenges over their long lives.
The Importance of Age Validation
In the world of longevity, careful verification is crucial. The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and LongeviQuest are prominent organizations that validate supercentenarian ages using official records like birth certificates, census data, and marriage records. This process is rigorous and ensures the accuracy of rankings, distinguishing verified cases from unsubstantiated claims. As the oldest people ever recorded, Jeanne Calment and others have undergone this intense scrutiny, establishing a foundation of credibility for longevity research. You can find more information about how longevity is researched on the Gerontology Research Group's website.
The Gender Disparity in Extreme Old Age
An overwhelming majority of the top 10 oldest people alive are female, a trend consistent throughout longevity research. While the exact reasons are still being studied, theories include genetic differences and healthier lifestyle habits on average, though these factors don't fully explain the significant difference at the extreme end of the age spectrum. This phenomenon is a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry into the unique biological advantages some women may have that contribute to extreme longevity.
Conclusion: A Fascinating Glimpse into Human Potential
The stories of the world's oldest people are not just a list of names and dates; they are living testaments to human resilience and the mysteries of aging. While no one possesses a single 'fountain of youth,' the patterns observed in these individuals—a combination of good fortune, genetics, and perhaps a resilient mindset—provide scientists with valuable data. The existence of these supercentenarians reminds us of the extraordinary potential of the human body and mind, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the field of human longevity.
