This special status, held by a supercentenarian, which is someone who has reached the impressive age of 110 years or more, changes hands only rarely. Each person who holds this distinction carries with them a wealth of experiences, memories, and stories from a bygone era, you know, a time that most of us can only read about in books. It's almost like a living history book, walking among us, and that is quite a thing to consider.

The identity of the **oldest living person** is a dynamic one, shifting as time moves forward, as a matter of fact. What was true yesterday might change today, reflecting the ongoing march of years and the careful documentation by organizations dedicated to verifying these incredible ages. So, who holds this extraordinary title right now, and what can we learn from their truly long lives? We will look at that.

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Table of Contents

• The Current Record Holder: Ethel Caterham
  • Personal Details and Biography
• A Look Back: Recent Holders of the Oldest Living Person Title
  • Tomiko Itooka: A Life of Simple Pleasures
  • Inah Canabarro Lucas: A Life of Devotion
• The Longest Lives Ever Documented
• Men Who Have Reached Incredible Ages
• The Secrets to a Long Life: What We Can Learn
• Where Do the Oldest People Live?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Longevity

The Current Record Holder: Ethel Caterham

As of May 2025, a truly remarkable individual, Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom, holds the esteemed title of the **oldest living person** whose age has been thoroughly documented. She is, quite simply, an individual of incredible years, having lived 115 years and 325 days, as verified at that point. Her journey to this unique position is, in a way, a story of quiet persistence and the passage of many, many decades. She is the oldest woman living, according to Longeviquest, and this record is updated every single day and verified by supercentenarian researchers, which is pretty rigorous.

Ethel Caterham's ascendancy to this global recognition followed a significant event in the world of longevity, you know, the passing of another truly aged person. Specifically, she became the **oldest living person** whose age can be documented after Inah Canabarro Lucas, a nun from Brazil, passed away on April 30, 2025. This transition highlights how these records move from one incredible life to the next, almost like a baton being passed, and that is a rather solemn thought.

Personal Details and Biography

Ethel Caterham, a British woman, was born on August 21, 1909. Her life has spanned over a century, witnessing monumental shifts in global history, in a way. She is 115 years old, and her age was verified at 115 years, 329 days at one point. Her life story is a testament to human resilience and the quiet continuation of existence through many, many eras. We don't have many personal details about her daily life from the information given, but her longevity itself speaks volumes, you know.

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A Look Back: Recent Holders of the Oldest Living Person Title

The title of the **oldest living person** does not stay with one individual forever; it moves from one extraordinary life to another, which is just how time works, isn't it? Before Ethel Caterham, other incredible individuals held this distinction, each with their own unique story and path through a very long existence. Understanding these transitions gives us a broader picture of what it means to live for such an extended period, and that is pretty interesting.

Tomiko Itooka: A Life of Simple Pleasures

Tomiko Itooka, a woman from Japan, held the title of the **oldest living person** for a significant period before the most recent changes. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, during the reign of Emperor Meiji, her life has truly spanned across different historical eras. As of September 16, 2024, she was verified as the world's oldest living person, having reached 116 years and 116 days. She continued to hold this distinction as of December 2024, at 116 years old, you know.

Tomiko Itooka's recognition as the world's oldest living person came after the passing of Maria Branyas Morera. She was confirmed by Guinness World Records in August 2024, which is a big deal. She currently lives in a nursing home, and her lifestyle seems to embrace simple joys. She enjoys bananas, a refreshing drink called Calpis, and the activity of hiking. These simple pleasures might, in a way, be part of her recipe for a long and content life, and that is something to think about.

Inah Canabarro Lucas: A Life of Devotion

Before Tomiko Itooka, and certainly before Ethel Caterham took the current title, a truly devoted individual, Inah Canabarro Lucas, a nun from Brazil, held the Guinness World Record as the **oldest living person**. Her life was one of profound faith and remarkable longevity. She became the world's oldest person at the age of 116 years and 210 days, a truly astounding number of days on this planet. She had taken the titles of both oldest woman living and oldest person living, which is quite an achievement.

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas passed away on April 30, 2025, just a month shy of her 117th birthday. Her passing marked a moment of transition in the world of longevity records, leading to Ethel Caterham becoming the oldest living person. Her story, you know, is a beautiful example of a life lived with purpose and incredible duration, and that is something to appreciate.

The Longest Lives Ever Documented

While we talk about the **oldest living person** today, it's also worth looking back at the absolute longest lives in human history, those individuals who truly pushed the boundaries of human longevity. These are the people who lived over 117 years and had their ages thoroughly validated, which is a very strict process. Learning about them helps us understand the extreme limits of the human lifespan, and that is pretty incredible.

The undisputed record holder for the longest recorded lifespan belongs to Jeanne Calment of France. She lived to the astonishing age of 122 years and 164 days. She passed away in 1997, and her record still stands to this day. Her life spanned from the late 19th century well into the end of the 20th century, witnessing an immense amount of historical change, you know, more than most could ever imagine. Her story is often referenced when discussing the absolute peak of human longevity, and that is just a fact.

It is interesting to note that the world's oldest people, historically speaking, are almost universally women. This pattern has been observed consistently, with four of the top ten oldest individuals born in the United States and two born in Japan. This distribution might, in a way, point to certain environmental or genetic factors that favor longevity in particular regions, and that is a rather thought-provoking idea.

Men Who Have Reached Incredible Ages

While the overall record for longevity is held by a woman, there are also remarkable men who have achieved extraordinary ages. The title of the oldest living verified man is also a closely tracked record, you know, and it changes just like the overall oldest person title. These men, too, offer insights into what it takes to live for more than a century, and that is pretty inspiring.

As of May 2025, the oldest known living man is João Marinho Neto of Brazil. He has reached the impressive age of 112 years and 280 days. His life, much like the oldest women, represents a journey through many decades, witnessing vast changes in the world around him. His existence, in a way, adds to the growing understanding of male longevity, and that is important for researchers.

Another notable male supercentenarian was Sakari Momoi, who made headlines when he passed away in Japan at the age of 112. He was, for a time, the oldest living man. His story, like others, highlights the increasing number of people reaching these advanced ages, which is a trend that continues to grow, as a matter of fact. The number of centenarians, those living to 100 years or older, is growing quite fast around the globe, especially in certain countries.

The Secrets to a Long Life: What We Can Learn

Many of us expect to live to around 80 years old, but some individuals defy these expectations, living well past 100, and even beyond 115 years. This naturally leads to questions about their "secrets" to longevity. While there is no single magical formula, looking at the lives of the **oldest living person** and other supercentenarians can offer some interesting patterns and insights, you know, things that might contribute to a very long life.

From the information we have, like Tomiko Itooka enjoying bananas, Calpis, and hiking, it seems that simple pleasures and perhaps a degree of physical activity, even if gentle, play a part. A calm and consistent lifestyle, arguably, might be a common thread among many of these individuals. It's not about extreme diets or intense workouts, but more about a sustained, balanced way of living, and that is a rather comforting thought.

Beyond individual habits, genetics certainly play a role, as does access to good healthcare and a supportive environment. The very fact that their ages are validated by experts, like those at Longeviquest, means there is a scientific interest in understanding the factors behind such extended lifespans. Discovering their stories and lifestyles helps researchers understand the complex interplay of genes, environment, and personal choices that contribute to extreme longevity, and that is a pretty big field of study.

The population living to 100 and older is predicted to grow significantly, from just 95,000 in 1990 to nearly 3.7 million by 2050. This growth suggests that while there might be a biological "hard limit" to human life, more and more people are reaching closer to it. This demographic shift has implications for society, healthcare, and our understanding of what human life can be, and that is a truly important consideration.

Where Do the Oldest People Live?

When we talk about the **oldest living person** and supercentenarians, it becomes clear that certain countries seem to be hotbeds for longevity. This geographical distribution can offer clues about factors that support extremely long lives, whether they are cultural, environmental, or related to healthcare systems. It's quite interesting to see where these remarkable individuals tend to reside, you know, and what those places might have in common.

Japan, for instance, comes second globally with 79,000 Japanese people who are 100 years or older. This is a very high number, and it suggests that something about the Japanese lifestyle, diet, or perhaps genetics contributes to this widespread longevity. The fact that many of the oldest recorded individuals have Japanese roots, or have lived there, is certainly something to consider. The country has a long history of honoring its elders, and that is a rather nice tradition.

While the text does not explicitly state which country has the highest absolute number of centenarians, it does mention that one country has 97,000 living in the country. This indicates that longevity is not confined to just one region but is a global phenomenon, with certain areas showing a higher concentration of individuals reaching these advanced ages. These areas might offer lessons for others looking to promote healthier and longer lives, and that is a pretty good idea.

Frequently Asked Questions About Longevity

Who is the oldest person alive today?

As of May 2025, the **oldest living person** whose age is documented is Ethel Caterham of the United Kingdom. She was born on August 21, 1909, making her 115 years and 325 days old at that point. Her age has been verified by organizations dedicated to tracking supercentenarians, which is quite a process, you know.

What is the secret to living a very long life?

There isn't one single secret, but observations from the lives of the **oldest living person** and other supercentenarians suggest a combination of factors. These might include good genetics, a healthy lifestyle that incorporates simple pleasures like enjoying certain foods or gentle activities such as hiking, and possibly a calm disposition. A supportive environment and access to care, arguably, also play a significant part in reaching such advanced ages. Learn more about longevity on our site, and link to this page for more insights.

Has anyone lived past 120 years?

Yes, absolutely. The longest recorded lifespan in human history belongs to Jeanne Calment of France. She lived to the remarkable age of 122 years and 164 days. She passed away in 1997, and her record still stands as the oldest verified person ever. Her life is a truly incredible example of extreme human longevity, and that is just a fact.