Meet the Oldest Living Supercentenarian
Ethel Caterham, born on August 21, 1909, is the current verified oldest living person in the world. A resident of Lightwater, Surrey, in the United Kingdom, Caterham became the record holder following the death of Brazil's Inah Canabarro Lucas on April 30, 2025. Her life has spanned over a century, witnessing world wars, vast technological change, and major social shifts. Her longevity was celebrated on her 116th birthday in August 2025, an occasion marked by congratulations from King Charles III.
During a 2020 interview with the BBC, Caterham credited her long life to a stress-free attitude, stating her secret was to "never argu[e] with anyone". Her life has been remarkably active; she drove her car until the age of 97 and even survived both of her children. Her story provides a fascinating glimpse into a life lived exceptionally long and healthily. While most of the oldest living people are women, the title of the oldest living man is also tracked. As of late 2024, that honor belonged to João Marinho Neto of Brazil.
The Science and Scrutiny of Age Verification
Verifying the age of a supercentenarian is a complex and demanding process. Records from the turn of the 20th century are often less precise than modern documentation, requiring meticulous validation by expert groups. The process typically involves consulting multiple, independent sources to confirm a person's date of birth and identity. This rigorous approach is crucial for establishing credible longevity claims and preventing the spread of unverified information.
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is one of the foremost authorities on validating extreme age claims. They maintain a ranking list of supercentenarians whose ages have been documented and corroborated. The process includes:
- Reviewing historical records: Birth certificates, census data, marriage records, and other official documents are cross-referenced to build a verifiable life history.
- Interviews and corroboration: Whenever possible, family members and acquaintances are interviewed to confirm details and provide context.
- Using supplementary sources: Additional evidence, such as newspaper articles or family photos, can be used to support the primary documentation.
This careful validation prevents exaggerated or fraudulent claims from entering the official records. The GRG's work, along with organizations like LongeviQuest and Guinness World Records, ensures that the list of oldest living people is as accurate as possible.
Past and Present: A Comparison of Longevity Records
| Record Holder | Status | Birth Date | Death Date | Verified Age | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethel Caterham | Oldest Living | August 21, 1909 | Still Living | 116+ years | United Kingdom | Current verified oldest living person. |
| Jeanne Calment | Oldest Ever | February 21, 1875 | August 4, 1997 | 122 years, 164 days | France | The longest documented human lifespan in history. |
| Maria Branyas Morera | Previous Oldest | March 4, 1907 | August 19, 2024 | 117 years, 168 days | Spain | Died in August 2024; research on her genome was published in September 2025. |
| Tomiko Itooka | Previous Oldest | May 23, 1908 | December 29, 2024 | 116 years, 220 days | Japan | Held the title briefly before her death in late 2024. |
| Jiroemon Kimura | Oldest Man Ever | April 19, 1897 | June 12, 2013 | 116 years, 54 days | Japan | Oldest man ever whose age has been verified. |
A Broader Perspective on Longevity
While the names of record holders like Ethel Caterham and the late Jeanne Calment capture public imagination, the study of supercentenarians offers more than just bragging rights. Researchers are intensely interested in the health and lifestyle of these individuals to understand the biological and environmental factors that contribute to exceptional longevity. Factors often cited include diet, genetics, low-stress lifestyles, and social connections. For example, studies have been conducted on the genome of Maria Branyas Morera, a previous oldest living person, to gain insight into the genetic aspects of aging.
Examining the lives of these individuals often reveals compelling personal stories that have intersected with over a century of history. Ethel Caterham's life, for instance, spans from the Edwardian era through two World Wars and the rapid advancement of the 21st century. Studying these individuals helps inform broader research into public health and provides valuable data on human aging. As the number of verified supercentenarians slowly increases due to better record-keeping and improved living standards, the pool of candidates for future research continues to grow.
Conclusion
As of late September 2025, Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom holds the record for being the oldest living supercentenarian, an extraordinary milestone that puts her in a unique position in human history. The rigorous age verification process, led by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group, ensures that such remarkable claims are authenticated with reliable documentation. Her longevity and the stories of her predecessors, such as Jeanne Calment, provide a fascinating window into the potential extremes of the human lifespan. As scientists continue to unravel the secrets behind such exceptional longevity, the stories of these record-breaking individuals will remain a source of both inspiration and scientific curiosity. The pursuit of the answer to "who is the oldest living supercentenarian?" will continue to be a testament to the ongoing advancements in human health and longevity.
Citations
- World Supercentenarian Rankings List. Gerontology Research Group. (https://www.grg-supercentenarians.org/world-supercentenarian-rankings-list/)
- Ethel Caterham becomes oldest person alive. What's her secret? USA Today. (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/05/02/ethel-caterham-oldest-person-alive/83419850007/)
- Who is the oldest person in the world in 2024? BBC Science Focus Magazine. (https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/oldest-person-in-the-world)
- She was the world's oldest person, living to 117. What do her ... CNN. (https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/26/health/maria-branyas-morera-study-genes-intl-scli-wellness)
- Jeanne Calment - Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment)
- List of the verified oldest people - Wikipedia. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_verified_oldest_people)
