Catherina is the Wisest of Them All

Southern Cross Care resident Catherina van der Linden is likely now the oldest living person in Australia.

She is also the oldest known living person born in the Netherlands and happens to live in one of our Residential Care homes.

Jerome van der Linden, her son, told ABC Radio Adelaide that his mother was “quite chuffed” with her newfound titles.

“She found it hard to believe that she was now the oldest person,” he said.

Mrs van der Linden is an active woman, attending the gym at her home, West Beach Residential Care, twice a week and fitting in two walks every day.

She has been an active person for many years, even walking the City to Bay Fun Run five times in her eighties.

Other active achievements have included trying out a skateboard at 90 years old and driving a car until she was 99.

Mrs van der Linden was born on August 26, 1912, and celebrated her 110th birthday last year.

She married her late husband John in 1940 and they had four children, immigrating to Australia in the 1950s.

Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren continue to visit and she also enjoys champagne and gardening.