The Current Oldest Person Alive: Ethel Caterham
As of September 2025, the title of the world's oldest living person is held by Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom. Born on August 21, 1909, she officially became the record holder in late April 2025, following the death of the previous title-holder, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas. At 116 years old, Ethel's remarkable longevity places her in a very select group of individuals known as supercentenarians—those who have reached the age of 110 or more.
Caterham's life spans a vast period of modern history, from the reign of Edward VII to the present day. Her long life has attracted media attention, with outlets like BBC and ABC News covering her 116th birthday. When asked about her secret to a long life, she has reportedly credited her calm demeanor. "Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like," she said in a 2020 interview.
The Rigorous Process of Verifying Exceptional Age
Unlike many viral social media claims of extreme age, the records of the world's oldest people are authenticated by reputable organizations like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) and Guinness World Records. This process is critical because unverified or fraudulent claims are common, especially from areas with limited historical record-keeping. Age validation relies on a comprehensive collection of documents and data to create a verified timeline of an individual's life.
Key steps in age validation:
- Birth Certificate/Record: The most crucial piece of evidence is an official birth record or a baptismal certificate from around the time of birth. In older cases, a lack of comprehensive birth registration can complicate this step.
- Census Records: Independent records from successive government censuses are reviewed to track the individual's age over their lifespan and check for inconsistencies.
- Marriage and Family Records: Official records of marriage, the birth dates of children, and the names of family members help to build a consistent and verifiable family history.
- Witness Testimony and Historical Context: Interviews with the individual and their family members, combined with historical context, help to corroborate the documentary evidence.
Comparison: Oldest Living Person vs. Oldest Person Ever
It is important to distinguish between the current oldest person alive and the oldest person ever. While Ethel Caterham holds the contemporary title, the record for the longest human lifespan belongs to someone from the past. All verified records for the oldest person ever are held by women.
| Feature | Oldest Person Alive (Current) | Oldest Person Ever (Verified) |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ethel Caterham | Jeanne Calment |
| Birthdate | August 21, 1909 | February 21, 1875 |
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Age (Current/at Death) | 116 years (as of Sept 2025) | 122 years, 164 days |
| Status | Living | Deceased (August 4, 1997) |
| Record Holder Since | April 30, 2025 | March 30, 1991 (Retroactively) |
Exploring the Science of Exceptional Longevity
The study of supercentenarians offers valuable insights into the factors that contribute to an exceptionally long life. Researchers have long been interested in whether genetics or lifestyle play a larger role. In the case of María Branyas Morera, who died in August 2024 at 117, a study of her genome indicated that her longevity was a combination of both a healthy lifestyle and strong genetics.
Factors contributing to longevity:
- Genetics: Some individuals carry genetic variants that provide protection against common diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Having long-lived family members, as seen in the family histories of many supercentenarians, suggests a hereditary component.
- Lifestyle: Many supercentenarians, including Ethel Caterham, emphasize the importance of a calm and stress-free life. Factors like a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and strong social connections are also commonly cited.
- Resilience and Personality: Studies of individuals like Jeanne Calment and María Branyas Morera point to a resilient mindset and positive attitude as key factors. Calment, for example, remained mentally sharp throughout her life and was known for her sense of humor.
Oldest Living Man: João Marinho Neto
While Ethel Caterham holds the overall title, the oldest living man is a separate distinction. As of late September 2025, that title belongs to João Marinho Neto of Brazil, who was born on October 5, 1912. At 112 years old, he is another example of a validated supercentenarian whose life has spanned over a century. The average lifespan for the oldest women tends to be several years longer than for the oldest men, a trend also seen in overall life expectancy statistics.
Conclusion
The question of who is the oldest person alive is an ongoing topic of record-keeping by organizations like the Gerontology Research Group and Guinness World Records. For the current period, that distinction belongs to Ethel Caterham. Her remarkable life, along with other supercentenarians throughout history, highlights the complex interplay of genetics, lifestyle choices, and sheer chance that enables a human to reach such an advanced age. While the stories of these individuals offer fascinating glimpses into longevity, it's the rigorous verification process behind the scenes that ensures the accuracy and integrity of these exceptional claims.
For more detailed, up-to-the-minute rankings of the world's oldest individuals, you can visit the Gerontology Wiki's World Supercentenarian Rankings List, which is regularly updated.
