Archive · 22 Aug 2026
World's Oldest Living Person Ethel Caterham Turns 117
Ethel Caterham has turned 117 years old.
She is recognized as the world’s oldest living person.
She celebrated with family and friends at her care home in Surrey.
Ethel was born before the Titanic sank and before the Russian Revolution.
She has lived through two world wars.
She also survived COVID-19 when she was 110.
Ethel worked as an au pair in India and later helped run a nursery school in Hong Kong.
Her husband died in 1976, and both of her daughters have since died.
She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren, but she has not surpassed Jeanne Calment’s verified record of 122 years and 164 days.
Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday with family and friends in Surrey.
She became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025 after Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas died at 116.
Caterham was born in Hampshire and has lived through two world wars and the Titanic era.
She survived COVID-19 at age 110 and is among the oldest people known to have done so.
The verified human-lifespan record remains Jeanne Calment’s 122 years and 164 days.
- Who
- Ethel Caterham, recognized as the world’s oldest living person, celebrated with family and friends.
- What
- She celebrated her 117th birthday.
- When
- On her 117th birthday; she became the world’s oldest living person in April 2025.
- Where
- At Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey, United Kingdom.
- Why
- She was celebrating reaching 117, after becoming the oldest living person following the death of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas.
- Age
- 117 years
- Current status
- World’s oldest living person
- Residence
- Hallmark Lakeview Care Home, Lightwater, Surrey
- Birthplace
- Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire
- COVID-19
- Survived COVID-19 at age 110 in 2020
- Family
- Three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren
- Verified longevity record
- Jeanne Calment: 122 years and 164 days