In 2024, the news from Britain began reporting on an adorable tortoiseshell cat named Millie. Millie had just turned 29 and her owner was claiming that she was the world’s oldest cat. Now before we get into her long life full of love, we must give credit to another feline. That would be Flossie, who is the actually recognized oldest living cat (see her story at end of article). She happens to also be a tortie living in the UK! Odd coincidence they look like they are related, or long lost sisters? But both deserve to be celebrated individually for their long lives. And now, to celebrate Millie’s 30th birthday in March 2025, her owner went all out.
Leslie and Millie – 30th Birthday Party
Millie Meets Leslie
Although they share their senior lives now, 70-year-old Leslie Greenhough wasn’t Millie’s original owner. That honor belongs to his sadly departed wife, Paula, 55. She had apparently gotten the sweet feline when she was only three months old, back in 1995.
When Leslie and Paula met in 2012, 16-year-old Millie could be heard meowing in the background of their phone call. Shouting her apurroval, purhaps? I think my favorite part though is that the couple met on the website Plenty Of Fish. Get it? Paula hooked Leslie and the two were married in 2014.
Lesley and late wife, Paula on their wedding day in 2014 via talker.news.com
Leslie told the local Manchester Evening News of their history and what Millie’s life was like. He claims that she has never been to the vet…something we do NOT recommend. This is a rare and lucky cat tale, not a recommendation to follow ANY of his (non)actions.
Leslie had owned a cat once before as a child, named Blackie, but hadn’t had a pet in several decades, until meeting Millie. He said: “Blackie used to follow me everywhere she was born in a paper mill and such a sweet thing. Millie was such a sweet cat when I first met her.
Leslie and Millie, in 2013. (SWNS)
“Over the years Millie was bullied by other cats the her neighbourhood, so she stopped going out and became more of an indoor cat. She’s developed a cautious attitude – she’s very shy. I think that’s helped her live longer.”
Life Changes for the Family
In 2020, Paula contracted and passed away from Covid-19. That loss effected the entire household deeply, but thankfully the duo had each other.
He said: “It was incredibly difficult on both of us. Millie and I had bonded before she died, she would sit on my lap and my wife said she could see how much the cat loved me. I think Millie knew my wife wasn’t well. Millie wouldn’t eat anything at first, I used to give her prawns and chicken, but over time she’s back to eating cat food.”
Leslie Greenhough and Millie in 2024 (Lee Mclean via SWNS)
The years went by and Millie and Leslie settled into a new routine.
Now 30, Leslie credits Millie’s longevity to 12pm wake-up calls, Buxton water and a diet of prawn and salmon.
“She keeps herself to herself, she will wake up around dinner time and I will mess about her with for 30 minutes”, Leslie said. “She only drinks Buxton water and has a diet of salmon, prawns, chicken and tuna. Millie likes to do her own thing, I will find her either asleep behind the sofa or asleep in my bed. Sometimes she will play out in the garden – a cat is a cat really.”
Millie and the all important chin scratches. (Lee Mclean via SWNS)
A 30th Birthday Party for Millie
To honor his “moggy”, Leslie decided to go all out. He even added 30 candles to her cake!
“I had a birthday cake made with her face on. It was such a hot day she was licking all the cream off.” (Sidenote – cats are lactose intolerant so ONLY feed pet safe foods/products)
Leslie and Millie – 30th Birthday Party
“It was a fantastic day, it is such an achievement that she has turned 30.”
Unfortunately, another negative of Millie supposedly never seeing a vet is that Leslie can’t prove her age. And without official records, he likely never will. But we absolutely love that he wants to honor the sweet cat and his late wife.
“She’s never gone to the vets since I’ve owned her or had any real health issues. She’s a little deaf now and loves to sleep on my bed.
“My life ambition is to get her in the Guinness Book of Records, but I can’t prove her age. The only person who can do that is my late wife who sadly died five years ago. I’m doing this story for my wife in her memory. She loved Millie, and everyone should know what an remarkable cat she is.”
Photo: Millie’s 29th Birthday (Lee Mclean via SWNS)
Flossie, Britain’s Oldest Cat
The current holder for the officially recognized World’s Oldest Cat is Flossie. See her amazing story we previously wrote!
