World’s Oldest Person Ethel Caterham Celebrates Her 117th Birthday
Ethel Caterham has reached another extraordinary milestone, celebrating her 117th birthday after a year filled with experiences she described as many firsts, including meeting King Charles III and becoming the world’s oldest living person.
Mrs Caterham, who lives at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, is spending her birthday on Friday surrounded by family and friends.
In a statement marking the occasion, she 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 meeting with King Charles
One of the most memorable moments of her 116th year came in September last year, shortly after her previous birthday, when King Charles visited her.
The King held Mrs Caterham’s hand as he introduced himself. During their conversation, she recalled seeing his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, when he was 21.
She told him: “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”
The meeting came only months after Mrs Caterham became the world’s oldest living person. She took the title in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was 116.
A life spanning more than a century
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Mrs Caterham was the second youngest of eight siblings. Her birth came five years before the beginning of the First World War.
She is now the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910.
At 18, Mrs Caterham travelled to India in 1927, where she worked as an au pair for a military family until she was 21.
She met her future husband, Norman, at a dinner party in the UK in 1931. Norman was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army and died in 1976.
The couple lived in Salisbury before Norman’s military postings took them to Gibraltar and Hong Kong. While living in Hong Kong, Mrs Caterham established a nursery school. Together, she and Norman raised two daughters, both of whom died before her.
Longevity also ran in her family. One of her sisters, Gladys, lived to the age of 104.
Still active well into old age
Mrs Caterham continued driving until she was 97 and remained an enthusiastic contract bridge player well into her centenarian years.
She also survived Covid in 2020 at the age of 110.
Her 117th birthday now adds another chapter to a life that has spanned two world wars, profound social change and more than a century of history.
While Mrs Caterham is the world’s oldest living person, the record for the longest verified human lifespan belongs to Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment. According to Guinness World Records, Calment lived to 122 years and 164 days.
