Catherine Hedges, now a supercentenarian at 110 years old, credits her long life to a combination of good food, fresh air, and a daily reading of the Daily Mail newspaper. Born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1916, Hedges moved to Reading, England, in 1944 and has been a consistent reader of the publication ever since.
Her milestone birthday was marked with a garden party at her care home in Hampshire, where she received a visit from the local mayor, a performance by a professional singer, and a birthday card from His Majesty the King. Hedges, who is one of an estimated 300 people worldwide aged 110 or older, often reads her newspaper in the care home's garden.
Hedges stated that reading the Daily Mail helps her stay informed about national and global events, keeping her mind active. She has a particular interest in the sports pages, especially horse racing, a passion shared with her late husband, Leslie William Hedges, a freight transport manager.
After moving to England at age 28, Hedges worked in finance and later in local government. She met her husband in England, and they enjoyed holidays and watching horse races together. Though they had no children, Hedges moved to be closer to her niece after her husband passed away 16 years ago. Until recently, she had the newspaper delivered daily and now continues to read it at her care home.
Her daily routine includes a leisurely morning, followed by reading her newspaper in the garden, weather permitting. She also tends to a Peruvian lily, a gift from a year prior, and enjoys watching television and having supper in the evening. Hedges also emphasized the importance of good home-cooked food, a practice influenced by her mother, and a history of being active and enjoying the outdoors.
Supercentenarians like Hedges are rare, with estimates suggesting only 200 to 300 individuals worldwide reach this age. Experts, such as Dr. Tom Perls, Director of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University's School of Medicine, note that genetics play a significant role, with a specific combination of approximately 200 genes being highly associated with reaching 110 years or beyond.
The world's oldest known living person is Ethel Caterham, who is expected to turn 117 later this month.