Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday as world's oldest person

Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, marking the milestone surrounded by family and friends at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey. She assumed the title of the world's oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116. Her longevity spans profound eras of global history, having been born before the First World War.

Reflecting on her exceptional age, Mrs Caterham shared her straightforward philosophy for a long life, stating:

"Never arguing with anyone, I listen, and I do what I like"

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Ethel Caterham, via Aol

Her birthday follows a year of what she described as many new experiences. In a statement released for the occasion, she expressed her gratitude for the messages she received.

"Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I’ve had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King. I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings."

Ethel Caterham, via Aol

That royal connection stems from a visit she received from King Charles in September last year, shortly after her previous birthday. During the encounter at her Surrey care home, the monarch held her hand and introduced himself. Mrs Caterham recalled his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales when he was 21 years old, telling him that all the young women had wanted to marry him at the time. According to coverage, she told him: All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you. Reporting notes that King Charles is the great-grandson of Edward VII, making Mrs Caterham the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910.

Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Mrs Caterham was raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire, as the second youngest of eight siblings. Her long life has encompassed major historical events, including two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Russian Revolution. One of her sisters, Gladys, also became a centenarian, living until she reached the age of 104.

As a young woman, her life took her far from home. In 1927, at the age of 18, she travelled to India and worked as an au pair for a military family until she was 21. She subsequently met her husband, Norman, a British Army lieutenant colonel, at a dinner party in the UK in 1931. The couple lived in Salisbury before being stationed in locations including Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where she established a nursery school. They raised two daughters, both of whom have since died. Her husband passed away, with sources noting the year as either 1976 or 1975. Alongside her travels, she maintained an active lifestyle well into her later years, continuing to drive until she was 97 and enjoying contract bridge during her centenarian years.

Among her survival milestones, Guinness World Records recognizes her as one of the oldest people to recover from Covid-19, which she contracted in 2020 at the age of 110.

Despite her exceptional standing, Mrs Caterham remains some distance from the absolute longevity record. According to Guinness World Records, the title of the oldest person ever belongs to French woman Jeanne Calment, who reached 122 years and 164 days before her death in 1997.