The Guinness Book of World Records has named 115-year-old Briton Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest person after the death of 116-year-old Brazilian Ina Canabarro Lucas, who held the title.
This was reported by the Book of Records.
Ms. Ethel was born in Hampshire on August 21, 1909, the penultimate of eight children. At the age of 115 years and 252 days, she became the oldest person in the world.
As a young woman, she lived in India, where she worked as a nanny for a British family. Later, she fondly recalled that time abroad, where British and Indian traditions intersected.
In 1927, Ethel set out on a three-week boat trip in a fit of adventure. In 1933, she married British Army Major Norman Caterham. Ethel’s husband rose rapidly through the ranks and became a lieutenant colonel, and because of his assignment, the family lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar for some time.
While living in Hong Kong, Ethel set up a kindergarten for local and British children. She tutored the children in the center, teaching them English, art, and guitar – she loved it.
After returning to England, the couple had two daughters. Ethel’s husband died in 1976. The British woman inherited a car from him, which she stopped driving only at 97. She survived both daughters but has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.