World’s oldest person Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday

Ms Caterham is the last known surviving person born during the reign of King Edward VII, who died in 1910.

Femi Ajanaku • August 22, 2026

Ethel Caterham [Credit: CNN]

British woman Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest verified individual, celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday at her home in Surrey, with family and friends.

The 117-year-old was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, southern England.

According to experts at LongeviQuest, she was named as the world’s oldest woman and overall oldest person in 2025.

Ms Caterham is also recognised as the first-ever Brit to reach the age milestone.

The CEO of LongeviQuest, Ben Meyers, described the feat as truly historic moment.

Mr Meyers said, “Her longevity is becoming truly historic, especially in terms of the UK. After becoming the first British person to reach age 116 a year ago, she is now the first British person to reach 117. She is consistently adding to her British longevity record, which was previously set by Charlotte Hughes, who passed away in 1993.”

The chief executive also said that she is the 13th-oldest person ever, making her the last living person born before 1910.

“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!” Mr Meyers added.

The world’s oldest man, Brazilian national Joao Marinho Neto, also congratulated the 117-year-old on her new age.

Ms Caterham is the last known surviving person born during the reign of King Edward VII, who died in 1910.

The Guinness World Records confirmed she is also one of the oldest people to survive the COVID-19 pandemic, after she contracted the virus and recovered from the disease when she was 110.

At 18, she moved to India and worked as a nanny, where she met her husband Major Norman Caterham and got married in 1993.

The couple later returned to England and raised their two daughters, and after her husband passed away in 1976, she welcomed three grand-daughters and five great-grandchildren.

Ms Caterham still has over five years more to break Jeanne Calment’s record as the world’s oldest person, who died in 1997 at 122 years and 164 days.

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