World's oldest person Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday

Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, surrounded by family and friends Source: BBC. Born on 21 August 1909 in Hampshire, she is the first British person ever to reach 117, according to Guinness World Records Source: CNN.

A year of firsts

Caterham described the past year as one of "many firsts," including meeting King Charles last September, shortly after her 116th birthday Source: Euronews. During their meeting, she recalled his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, telling him: "All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you" Source: CNN. She is the last surviving subject of King Edward VII, who died in 1910 Source: BBC.

Longevity secrets

Caterham attributes her long life to three simple habits: avoiding arguments, listening to others, and doing what she likes Source: Euronews. She is also one of the oldest people to survive Covid-19, having contracted it in 2020 at age 110 Source: BBC.

Life and legacy

Born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, as the second youngest of eight children, Caterham travelled to India at 18 to work as an au pair Source: BBC. She met her husband Norman, a British Army lieutenant colonel, at a dinner party in 1931; they later lived in Hong Kong, where she set up a nursery school Source: Euronews. Norman died in 1976, and both of their daughters predeceased her Source: CNN. She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren Source: CNN.

The world's oldest man, João Marinho Neto, also sent birthday wishes from Brazil Source: CNN. The record for the longest verified human lifespan remains with Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at 122 years and 164 days Source: Euronews.