World’s Oldest Cat Dies at 33

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio

Every cat parent hopes that their kitty will live to an old age, but some cats surpass all expectations. One such cat was Rosie, who recently passed away at the age of 33. At that age, it’s believed that she was the oldest cat in the world.

Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock

The Story of Rosie the Cat


Rosie, a beautiful tortoiseshell kitty, celebrated her 33rd birthday on June 1. She was born in 1991, and everyone knows how much the world has changed since then. If she were a human, she would’ve been aware of how different things are today compared to when she was born.


Lila Brissett, who is 73 years old, was Rosie’s owner, and as would be expected, she is heartbroken by the loss of her feline companion. Brissett adopted Rosie and has been caring for her since she was a kitten.


Originally, Rosie had been in another home but the family had to give her up because of allergies. Brissett, who had already rescued other pets, decided to take Rosie in and was able to make wonderful memories with her ever since. 


A Pampered Life Full of Love


Brissett shared that Rosie enjoyed napping in the window and, of course, eating—specifically, she loved Purina One cat food. She was an indoor cat who had a predictable routine.


Rosie died peacefully at home in Norwich, England. She hadn’t been doing well, and one day laid down in the hallway, where she passed away. Brissett misses her terribly. After all, 33 years is a long time, and Brissett and Rosie must have gone through a lot together.


In human years, Rosie was 152 years old when she died. 


A cat named Creme Puff, who lived in Texas, holds the Guinness World Record for Oldest Cat Ever. He passed away at 38 years old.


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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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