Ethel Caterham, world's oldest person, turns 117

Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on August 21, 2026, at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Surrey, England, surrounded by family and friends Source: CNN. Born in 1909, she is the first British person to reach this age, according to Guinness World Records Source: CNN.

Life and legacy

Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, the penultimate of eight siblings, and is the last living subject of King Edward VII Source: ABC. At 18, she traveled to India to work as a nanny, later marrying British Army officer Norman Caterham in 1933 Source: infobae. The couple lived in Hong Kong, where she founded a kindergarten, and had two daughters, both of whom predeceased her Source: Euronews. Her sister Gladys also lived to 104 Source: La Vanguardia.

Recent milestones

In September 2025, King Charles III visited Caterham, during which she recalled his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, joking, "All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you" Source: ABC. She also survived COVID-19 in 2020 at age 110 Source: CNN. The oldest man alive, João Marinho Neto, sent her a birthday card Source: La Vanguardia.

Longevity secrets

Caterham attributes her longevity to three habits: avoiding arguments, listening to others, and doing what she pleases Source: Euronews. The record for the oldest person ever remains with Jeanne Calment, who died at 122 Source: ABC.