British longevity record broken after 32 years

Ethel May Caterham, born August 21 1909, today surpasses the longevity record of the United Kingdom. The previous record-holder was Charlotte Hughes (1877-1993) who lived 115 years, 228 days. Mrs Caterham has now reached 115 years, 229 days, making her the oldest person to ever be born in the UK.

Ethel was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England to Alfred and Fanny Collins. As a young woman she worked in India as a nanny, travelling alone there and back. In 1933 Ethel married Norman Caterham and went on to have two daughters, all of which she has outlived. The family lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar for some years, as Norman was stationed there as a major in the army.

Ethel reportedly drove a car until she was 97 and lived with her daughter until the age of 109, when she moved to a care home. She now lives in a care home in Surrey, where she is reportedly doing well. Since September 2024, Ethel has been the last person in the UK born before 1912. The UK longevity record had not been broken since 1993 until now.

The Gerontology Research Group extends warm congratulations to Ethel on reaching an incredible milestone. We wish her many more years of good health and happiness.