A milestone birthday in Surrey

Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest person, celebrated her 117th birthday on 21 August 2026 at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, UK. The occasion was marked with family and friends, as reported by Euronews and The Independent.

In a statement issued for the day, 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.” She added that she had “a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends” and looked forward to the next year.

The birthday comes after a year that included a visit from King Charles III last September, just after her 116th birthday. During the meeting, Caterham recalled his 1969 investiture as Prince of Wales, telling him, “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”

A life spanning more than a century

Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 in Hampshire, five years before the start of the First World War. She is the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910. King Charles is the sixth monarch to sit on the British throne since her birth, Euronews noted.

She became the oldest living person in April 2025, following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at age 116. According to The Nation, she was recognised in 2025 by LongeviQuest as both the world’s oldest woman and the overall oldest living person. LongeviQuest CEO Ben Meyers said Caterham is now the 13th oldest person ever recorded and remains the last living individual born before 1910.

The Nation also reported that Caterham is the first-ever British person to reach the age of 117, citing Guinness World Records.

The secret to longevity

Asked for the secret to her long life, Caterham offered a straightforward answer. The Independent quoted her as saying: “Never arguing with anyone, I listen, and I do what I like.” Euronews similarly reported that she attributes her longevity to avoiding arguments, listening to others, and doing what she likes.

Caterham’s life has been marked by resilience. She survived contracting Covid-19 in 2020 at the age of 110, according to Guinness World Records, as reported by both Euronews and The Independent.

Her personal history includes travel and family. In 1927, aged 18, she travelled to India and worked as an au pair to a military family until she was 21, The Independent reported. The Nation adds that she embarked alone on a three-week sea voyage for the journey.

She met her husband Norman, a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, at a dinner party in the UK in 1931, as reported by Euronews and The Independent. The Nation adds that they married at Salisbury Cathedral in 1933. The couple later lived in Hong Kong, where Caterham set up a nursery school for local and British children. They raised two daughters, both of whom died before her.

Norman died in 1976. One of Caterham’s sisters, Gladys, also lived to 104, according to both Euronews and The Independent; The Nation specifies that Gladys Babilas lived to 104 years and 78 days before passing away in 2002. The Independent also noted that Caterham drove until she was 97 and enjoyed playing contract bridge in her centenarian years.

The title of the oldest person ever is held by Jeanne Calment, a French woman who died in 1997 at age 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records, as reported by Euronews and The Independent.

Recognition and family

Caterham remains surrounded by family, with three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren, The Nation reported. Her care home has honoured her with a dedicated garden named “Ethel’s Garden.” She also received birthday wishes from the world’s oldest man, João Marinho Neto of Brazil, who turns 114 in October, according to The Nation.