Ethel Caterham of Surrey, England was named the oldest person in British history last month. Just a few weeks later, she became the oldest living person in the world at 115 years and 252 days old after the death of Inah Canabarro Lucas, a nun from Brazil who previously held the title.
Ethel was born during the reign of King Edward VII on August 21, 1909, the same year that William Howard Taft was inaugurated as president in the United States.
When asked her secret to a long life, Caterham said,
Say yes to every opportunity because you never know what it will lead to. Have a positive mental attitude and have everything in moderation.
Ethel seems to have taken her own advice, having lived an adventurous life in her own right. When she was 18 she lived in India where she worked as a nanny for a British family. She later married an officer in the British Army, Norman Caterham. The couple lived in both Hong Kong and Gibraltar before returning to England where they raised their two daughters.
Ethel was widowed in 1976 and went on to outlive both of her daughters. One of her sisters did live a remarkably long life as well, living to age 104. Ethel has 3 granddaughters and 5 great-grandchildren.
Today Ethel remains in good health, considering her record-breaking age, and finds enjoyment in spending her days in the garden of the care home where she lives, which was recently renamed "Ethel's Garden" in her honor.
Ethel is the youngest oldest living person in 12 years, so here's hoping that she holds the title for years to come!
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