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Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday as the world's oldest living person

Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday. Residing in a care home in Surrey, England, Caterham is the first British person to reach this age. She assumed the title of the world's oldest living person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas. Caterham's life has spanned significant historical events, including two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Russian Revolution. She is also one of the oldest people to survive the Covid-19 pandemic, having contracted the virus at age 110. She attributes her longevity to a non-confrontational approach, stating she listens to others without arguing. In her younger years, she worked as a nanny in India and later established a nursery school in Hong Kong. She was visited by King Charles III last September, where she shared memories of his 1969 investiture. While she remains the oldest living woman, the record for the longest verified human lifespan remains held by Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment.

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