Ethel Caterham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ethel Caterham
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Ethel Caterham in 2010
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| Born |
Ethel May Collins
21 August 1909 (age 116 years, 5 days) Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England
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| Spouse(s) |
Norman Caterham
(m. 1933; died 1976) |
| Children | 2 (both deceased) |
Ethel May Caterham, born Ethel May Collins on August 21, 1909, is an amazing British woman. She is a supercentenarian, which means she is over 110 years old! As of April 30, 2025, Ethel is the oldest verified living person in the world. She is also the oldest British person ever and the very last person still alive who was born in the 1900s.
Contents
Ethel Caterham's Early Life
Ethel May Collins was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She was born on August 21, 1909. Ethel was the seventh of eight children in her family. She grew up nearby in a place called Tidworth. Interestingly, her sister, Gladys Babilas, lived to be 104 years old.
Adventures Abroad
When Ethel was 18, in 1927, she went on a long trip. She traveled to British India. There, she worked as an au pair for a military family. An au pair is someone who helps with childcare and housework. She stayed there until she was 21 years old.
Family Life and Travels
In 1931, Ethel returned to England. She met her future husband, Norman Caterham, at a dinner party. They got married at Salisbury Cathedral. Norman had been a choirboy there when he was younger.
Norman later became a lieutenant colonel in the army. Because of his job, Ethel and Norman lived in different places. They lived in Harnham, Salisbury, and then moved to Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
While in Hong Kong, Ethel started a nursery school. She taught English, crafts, and games to young children. In Gibraltar, Ethel and Norman had two daughters. They raised their daughters back in England. Sadly, Norman passed away in 1976.
Later Years and Hobbies
Ethel was very active for many years. She drove a car until she was 97 years old! She also enjoyed playing contract bridge, a card game, even when she was over 100.
Both of Ethel's daughters passed away before her. She lived in an extension of her second daughter Anne's home. After Anne died in February 2020, Ethel moved into a care home. She first lived in Ash Vale, Surrey, and later moved to another care home in Lightwater, also in Surrey.
Ethel's Health and Long Life
Ethel Caterham has shown incredible strength and health. In 2020, when she was 110 years old, she survived COVID-19. This was a remarkable achievement.
Secrets to Longevity
Just before her 111th birthday, Ethel and her granddaughter were interviewed. They spoke on BBC Radio Surrey. Ethel shared what she thought was the secret to her long life. She said it was "taking everything in my stride, the highs and the lows." This means staying calm and accepting life's challenges.
Recognitions and Milestones
On her 111th birthday in August 2020, the mayor of Surrey Heath visited Ethel. She had been the oldest person living in Surrey since January 2019.
On January 22, 2022, Ethel became the oldest living person in the United Kingdom. This happened after Mary "Mollie" Walker passed away. On October 7 of the same year, Ethel became the last British person alive who was born during the time of King Edward VII.
In August 2024, Ethel turned 115 years old. This made her only the third British person ever to reach this age. The last person to do so was Annie Jennings, over two decades earlier in 1999.
Ethel Caterham is currently the oldest living person in the world. She is also the last person alive who was born in the 1900s decade.
See also
In Spanish: Ethel Caterham para niños
