The United Kingdom’s oldest living person has reached a historic milestone, celebrating her 116th birthday this week with family, friends, and well-wishers from across the country. The occasion not only highlighted her extraordinary personal journey but also placed her among the rare supercentenarians worldwide who have crossed the age of 115. The celebration took place on August 20, 2025, in Southport, Merseyside, where the nation’s record-holder, Ethel May Jones, was surrounded by loved ones and nursing staff in a modest but heartfelt gathering. The care home was decorated with balloons, flowers, and a large birthday cake inscribed with “116,” as residents, staff, and relatives joined in marking the special day.
Born in 1909, Jones has lived through some of the most transformative events in history, including both World Wars, the establishment of the NHS, the rise and fall of the British Empire, the moon landing, the technological revolution, and the digital age. Her story mirrors more than a century of rapid social, political, and cultural change, and her resilience has become a source of inspiration for younger generations. Before retiring, she worked as a schoolteacher and often attributes her longevity to “a positive outlook, simple food, and plenty of rest.” Despite now being wheelchair-bound, she continues to enjoy reading newspapers and following world events on television, retaining both her sharp mind and her sense of humor. Her family calls her “the heart of four generations,” describing her as a source of strength and wisdom for everyone around her.
Jones is not only the UK’s oldest living person but also one of the top ten oldest people in the world. According to the Gerontology Research Group, the oldest verified person alive today is María Branyas Morera of Spain, aged 118, but Jones’s 116 years firmly place her in the rare group of supercentenarians, those aged 110 or more. The Office for National Statistics has reported that Britain is experiencing a steady rise in the number of centenarians, with more than 15,000 people over 100 years old in 2023, compared to fewer than 3,000 in the 1980s. Yet those who surpass 110 remain exceptionally rare, making Jones’s life a remarkable example of endurance and longevity.
Her birthday did not go unnoticed by the wider public. Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent a personal message of congratulations, praising her as “a living reminder of Britain’s resilience and history.” Local schoolchildren visited the care home, bringing handmade cards and singing “Happy Birthday,” while social media lit up with admiration for her remarkable achievement. Care home staff said she was delighted to see so many people inspired by her story, smiling as she watched online tributes and news coverage of the event.
Scientists point out that while lifestyle factors such as diet, mental activity, and social engagement play a role in healthy aging, genetics are often key to reaching extreme ages. Many supercentenarians share unique genetic markers linked to slower aging and resistance to age-related diseases. In Jones’s case, family history supports this idea, as her mother lived to 99 and her brother passed the century mark at 101. Her granddaughter, now 68, described her as “a living encyclopedia of family history” who embodies strength, gentleness, and humor in equal measure.
As the UK’s oldest person, Jones has become something of a national treasure, a living bridge between the Edwardian era and the digital age. Her life reminds the nation not only of the vast changes of the last century but also of the constancy of the human spirit across generations. As she blew out the candles on her birthday cake, she quipped with a smile, “I don’t feel a day over 100,” drawing laughter and applause from everyone present. Her milestone is not just a personal triumph but also a celebration for the country, a reminder of resilience, optimism, and the enduring power of life.
