The world’s oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, has marked her 117th birthday with a family celebration at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home, where she lives. The milestone was reached on Friday, August 21, surrounded by family and friends.
In a statement, Mrs Caterham said: “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.”
A Royal Encounter and a Year of Firsts
King Charles visited Mrs Caterham last September, shortly after her 116th birthday, holding her hand as he introduced himself. During their conversation, she recalled his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, telling him: “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”
Mrs Caterham became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025, following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116, according to PA.
A Life Spanning Over a Century
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, she arrived in the world five years before the First World War, as the second youngest of eight siblings. She is also believed to be the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in 1910.
At 18, she travelled to India to work as an au pair for a military family, later returning to the UK where she met her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Norman Caterham, at a dinner party in 1931. The couple lived in Salisbury before postings in Gibraltar and Hong Kong, where Mrs Caterham later set up a nursery school.
Remarkable Longevity and Resilience
She raised two daughters, both of whom died before her, and her husband passed away in 1976. Remarkably active well into later life, she continued driving until the age of 97 and enjoyed playing contract bridge in her centenarian years. She also survived Covid-19 in 2020 at the age of 110.
Her sister Gladys lived to 104, while Mrs Caterham’s own longevity has made her one of the most remarkable supercentenarians in history. The longest verified human lifespan remains that of French woman Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.
