The oldest known living person right now is Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom, who is reported to be 116 years old and recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person.

Quick Scoop: Who’s the oldest person alive?

Current record-holder

  • Name: Ethel Caterham.
  • Country: United Kingdom.
  • Age: 116 years old, recognized as the oldest living person.
  • Recognition: Listed by Guinness World Records as the oldest person living.

Ethel Caterham reached 116 and has been widely reported in news and longevity- tracking communities as the current holder of the “oldest living person” title.

Note: These titles can change suddenly when a record-holder passes away, so the “oldest person alive” is always a snapshot in time, not a permanent record.

A bit of context and “latest news”

  • In 2025, coverage from major outlets highlighted Ethel Caterham’s 116th birthday and her recognition as the world’s oldest living person.
  • Longevity databases and specialist groups that validate extreme ages (like LongeviQuest and other supercentenarian projects) track these records and update rankings as people reach or surpass 110.

She has been quoted talking about staying agreeable, avoiding arguments, and keeping a positive attitude as part of her long life story.

Oldest person ever (for perspective)

  • The oldest verified person in history is Jeanne Calment from France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.
  • Her record still stands and is considered the benchmark for human longevity.

This helps show how rare it is not just to pass 110, but to push into the 115–120 range and beyond.

Mini FAQ

Is this 100% certain?
No record is absolutely perfect, because age claims have to be verified with documents and research, and sometimes new evidence appears, but groups that track supercentenarians use strict validation standards.

Could someone older exist but not be documented?
Yes, it’s possible that someone in a remote area or with incomplete records is older but not officially recognized, which is why lists usually say “oldest verified living person.”

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