The world’s oldest person, British woman Ethel Caterham, has celebrated her 117th birthday, making history as the first Briton ever verified to reach the age of 117.
Caterham, who was born on August 21, 1909, marked the milestone quietly with family and friends at the care home where she lives in Surrey, about 25 miles from London, according to Guinness World Records.
Her achievement makes her the first British person to reach 117 and extends the longevity record previously held by Charlotte Hughes, who died in 1993.
Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, described Caterham’s longevity as “truly historic,” noting that she became the first British person to reach 116 a year ago and has now extended the national record by another year.
“Ethel is the 13th oldest person ever. Her reign as the world’s oldest person is already the third longest in 11 years. She remains the last living person born before 1910. Simply put, she is incredible!” Meyers said.
Speaking to the UK’s PA Media news agency, Caterham said she had enjoyed celebrating her birthday with loved ones.
“I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings,” she said.
Caterham was visited by King Charles in September 2025, shortly after her 116th birthday. During their meeting, she recalled the King’s 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, telling him: “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”
Her remarkable 117-year life has spanned two World Wars, the sinking of the Titanic, the Russian Revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Guinness World Records, Caterham also ranks among the oldest people known to have survived COVID-19 after contracting the virus in 2020 at the age of 110.
Born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, as the second youngest of eight children, Caterham is the last known surviving person born during the reign of King Edward VII.
At 18, she travelled alone to India, where she worked as a nanny. She later married Major Norman Caterham in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral.
The couple subsequently lived in Hong Kong, where Caterham established a nursery, before eventually returning to Surrey.
She has outlived her husband, who died in 1976, as well as both of her daughters. She is now a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of five.
Caterham’s extraordinary longevity continues to attract interest as scientists around the world study the factors that enable some people to live exceptionally long lives.
