Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, recognized as the world’s oldest living person, passed away on April 30, 2025, at the age of 116. Her death occurred just months after she received the title in December 2024. Inah was born in June 1908 in Brazil and had a lifelong commitment to faith, starting her religious journey at just 16. Despite early health concerns, she lived a long life, earning several longevity titles, including the oldest ecclesiastical person in Brazil.
Following Inah’s death, Ethel Caterham, an English woman born in 1909, became the oldest living person at 115 years old. Caterham, a resident of Surrey, England, and the last person born in the 1900s, attributed her longevity to a stress-free life and avoiding arguments. Her simple philosophy was to “listen and do what I like.” On her 115th birthday, she received congratulations from King Charles III, recognizing her remarkable milestone.
Ethel Caterham’s life included a notable journey, as she moved to British India at 18 to care for a military family and later married Lt. Col. Norman Caterham, with whom she had a family. She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.
At the time of Inah’s passing, the title of Brazil’s oldest resident now belongs to 114-year-old Izabel Rosa Pereira. Ethel Caterham’s longevity and legacy reflect a life well-lived, continuing the rich tradition of centenarians showcasing remarkable vitality and resilience.
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