Oldest living person in the UK: Ethel Caterham
Ethel May Caterham (née Collins, born 21 August 1909) from Surrey is a British supercentenarian. She was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire. At the age of 115, Ethel is the oldest living person in the United Kingdom following the death of 112-year-old Mollie Walker on 22 January 2022. On 5 September 2020, her age was officially verified by the European Supercentenarian Organisation. Following the death of Maria Branyas from Spain, who died aged 117 on 19 August 2024, Ethel became the oldest verified living person in Europe. On 6 April 2025, Ethel Caterham surpassed Charlotte Hughes (who died aged 115 years and 228 days on 17 March 1993) to become the longest-lived person ever from the UK. On 30 April 2025, following the death of Brazilian supercentenarian Inah Canabarro Lucas, who died aged 116, Ethel became the oldest verified living person in the world, certified by LongeviQuest.
Oldest living men and women by country
The oldest woman living in England and the UK is Ethel Caterham, born 21 August 1909.
The oldest man living in England is William Staples, born 11 December 1915.
The oldest woman living in Scotland is Jenny Smart, born 4 November 1915.
The oldest man living in Scotland and the UK is Hugh Kerr, born 9 October 1915.
The oldest woman living in Wales is thought to have been born in May 1918.
The oldest man living in Wales is thought to be Owen Filer, born 19 October 1919.
The oldest woman living in Northern Ireland is thought to be Margaret McMordie, born 14 January 1918.
The oldest man living in Northern Ireland is Norman Irwin, born 17 November 1918.
The oldest living twins in the UK are Elma Harris and Thelma Barratt, born on 3 August 1919.
The longest-married living couple in the UK is currently unknown. Please contact us if you know of a living couple who have been married for over 75 years.
We kindly ask that people get in touch if they know of anyone older.