Ethel Caterham, a 115-year-old British woman who now holds the title of the world’s oldest living person, according to the Gerontology Research Group, has revealed a rule she has been following in life that she feels has kept her alive for so many years.
The veteran, who was celebrated last weekend as the oldest living human, said she feels lucky to have lived so many years because she doesn’t like to argue with people about their opinions and views on various issues.
According to CBBC, Ethel Caterham, who lives in Surrey, officially took on the title after the death of Brazilian nun, Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, on Wednesday last week.
She passed away at the age of 116 and last weekend, Guinness World Records confirmed Ethel is now the world’s oldest person.
Born before World War I even began, Ethel’s life stretches back to August 21, 1909.
But while much around her has changed — wars, technology, and the way people live — her simple mantra has stayed the same: “Never argue with anyone. I listen and I do what I like.” This one rule, she says, is her secret to long life.
This isn’t just an old-fashioned idea. Psychologists today say that chronic stress, anger, and emotional conflicts can raise the risk of heart disease, weaken immunity, and speed up ageing.
Ethel’s approach — staying away from unnecessary arguments and not wasting energy on drama — may have truly helped preserve her physical and mental health over time.
According to the Guinness World Record, Ethel Caterham was born in the small village of Shipton Bellinger in southern England, the second youngest among eight siblings. It was 1909 — a time of horse-drawn carriages and handwritten letters.
Her childhood was shaped by simplicity, routine, and a lot of shared family values. She saw two World Wars, the rise of the internet, and countless changes in global history — yet never lost her calm.
At 18, Ethel moved to India, working as a nanny. It wasn’t just a job — it was a sign of her boldness and curiosity. She spent three years there before returning to England, and later lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar after marrying her husband, Norman, a British army major.
by moses sagwe
