Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, marks her 117th birthday
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, marks her 117th birthday")
Ethel Caterham Photograph: (Instagram)
Ethel Caterham on August 21, celebrated her 117 birthday. Recognised by Guinness World Records, she became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025. Read on to know more.
Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, turned 117 on Friday. Recognised by Guinness World Records, the British supercentenarian celebrated the milestone with family and friends at her care home in Surrey on August 21.
Caterham marked the occasion with a message. "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!," as quoted by ABC News.
Also Read: Harry and Meghan's UK Tax saga explained in simple terms: What they gain and the costly miss
She became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who died at 116. Guinness World Records also recognises Caterham as the world’s oldest living woman.
About Ethel Caterham
Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire. She was the second-youngest of eight siblings. Her life has spanned some of the most significant events of the 20th and 21st centuries, including two World Wars, the Russian Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
)
)
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
)
)
)
She contracted COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 110, making her one of the oldest known people to survive the virus.
As a young woman, Caterham travelled to India, where she worked for a military family as a nanny. She later met Norman Caterham, a British Army lieutenant colonel, at a dinner party in 1931. The couple married and eventually lived in several countries, including Hong Kong.
The couple later returned to Britain and raised their two daughters. Norman died in 1976. Caterham has since outlived both of her children and is now a grandmother to three and a great-grandmother to five.
Ethel Caterham on her longevity
Caterham has previously spoken about her long life. "Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like," she said.
Her family also has a history of longevity. Her sister Gladys lived to the age of 104.
Although Caterham currently holds the record for the oldest living person, she is not the oldest person ever verified. That distinction remains with Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days.
