As of May 2025, the oldest living person is Ethel Caterham from the United Kingdom. She was born on August 21, 1909, and is currently 115 years old, making her the oldest validated living person in the world

. Previously, Tomiko Itooka of Japan was recognized as the oldest person at 116 years old as of late 2024, but Ethel Caterham holds the title now following recent changes

. Ethel Caterham's longevity has been noted in various sources, and she attributes her long life to avoiding stress and maintaining a peaceful attitude