who is the oldest person in the world

The oldest known living person right now is Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom, who is 116 years old.

Quick Scoop: Oldest person in the world

• Name: Ethel Caterham

• Age: 116 years

• Date of birth: 21 August 1909

• Country: United Kingdom (lives in Surrey, England)

• How she got the title: She became the world’s oldest known living person in April 2025, after the death of Brazilian nun Inah Barroso (often reported as Inah Barros), who was also 116.

A bit of context

Before Ethel Caterham, previous record holders in recent years included:

• Maria Branyas Morera of Spain, who reached 117 before her death in August 2024.

• Tomiko Itooka of Japan, who became the oldest living person after Maria Branyas Morera and died at age 116 in December 2024.

Ethel Caterham then took over as the world’s oldest living person in April 2025 and celebrated her 116th birthday later that year.

All‑time record (ever)

If you were also wondering about the all‑time record, the oldest person ever reliably verified is Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.