Australia’s oldest person Catherina van der Linden dies aged 111

A South Australian woman believed to be Australia's oldest person has died at the age of 111.

Catherina van der Linden died on 26 January at Southern Cross Care's West Beach Residential Care home.

"[Catherina] passed away peacefully on Australia Day January 26, 2024 at West Beach Residential," the funeral notice read.

"Beloved wife of John (deceased). Cherised mother of Mariella and Bob, Jerome and Robyn, Garrath and Thawanrat (Nop), Margherita and Carl.

"Adored Oma to 10 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren. Greatly missed. Proudly celebrated."

Southern Cross Care released a statement saying Ms van der Linden "died gently" surrounded by her family.

"Catherina moved into Southern Cross Care's West Beach Residential Care home in 2019 and soon became a healthy aging role model for fellow residents," it said.

The statement said her body would be donated to the University of Adelaide's Body Donation Program to "advance medical science through research".

Ms van der Linden was born in the Netherlands in 1912 and was believed to be the oldest living Dutch person in the world.

She migrated to Australia in 1955 with her husband and family.

On her 111th birthday, Ms van der Linden acknowledged her long life was due to an active lifestyle, which included walking around the facility, and visiting the gym two to three times a week.

"I push myself sometimes when I'm getting a bit tired, and I think it's about time to do something to yourself to see that you still have that energy that you had before," she told the ABC.

"I still go on the bike, sometimes for 10 minutes, and that is a long time to spend on the bike."

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas paid tribute on X, recalling his meeting with Ms van der Linden on her last birthday.

"When I asked about her secret for a long and happy life, she told me two things: regular gym sessions and regular walks," he said.

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