Ethel Caterham Turns 117: The Remarkable Life of the World’s Oldest Living Person
Ethel Caterham, currently recognized as the world’s oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, 21 August, surrounded by family and friends at the Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey (St Headline). Born in Hampshire in 1909 during the reign of King Edward VII, Caterham’s long life spans two world wars, the sinking of the Titanic, and sweeping geopolitical shifts across the British Empire.
Reflecting on her milestone day, Caterham shared a characteristically serene outlook with the British press: I had a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings.
From Hampshire Roots to Colonial Postings in Hong Kong
Born on August 21, 1909, Caterham was the second-youngest of eight siblings. At the age of 18, she made the independent decision to travel alone to India, where she worked as a nanny for a military family (St Headline). That spirit of adventure shaped her early adult life.
In 1931, she met British Army officer Norman Caterham at a dinner party in the United Kingdom. The couple married two years later (St Headline). When her husband was posted to Hong Kong during his military service, Caterham accompanied him and established a nursery school. There, she taught local and British children English, arts and crafts, and games (St Headline).
The couple eventually returned to the UK and raised two daughters, both of whom have predeceased her. Her husband, Norman, passed away in 1976 (St Headline). Longevity appears to run in the family; her sister Gladys also lived to be 104 years old, and Caterham herself continued driving a car until she was 97 (St Headline).
Surviving COVID-19 and Royal Encounters
Beyond her historical span, Caterham holds a remarkable medical distinction. According to Guinness World Records, she is the oldest known survivor of COVID-19, having contracted the virus in 2020 at the age of 110 and successfully recovering (St Headline).
Her milestone years have also drawn official recognition. Shortly after turning 116, King Charles III visited her in Surrey (St Headline). Reminiscing about his investiture as the Prince of Wales in 1969, Caterham reportedly smiled at the monarch and remarked, All the girls fell in love with you, and all wanted to marry you.
(St Headline)
The Philosophy Behind 117 Years
When asked about her secret to a long life, Caterham has consistently emphasized emotional moderation and mental flexibility over rigid health regimens. In a previous interview with BBC Surrey, she outlined her fundamental rules for living:
Do not argue with anyone, I listen, and I do what I like. Take the highs and lows as they come.
(St Headline)- Saying yes to opportunities because you never know where they might lead (St Headline).
- Maintaining a positive mindset and keeping things moderate (St Headline).
Despite reaching 117, Caterham still has some ground to cover to match the absolute verified human lifespan record. That distinction remains held by French supercentenarian Jeanne Calment, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days (St Headline).
