Ethel Caterham, a British woman residing in Surrey, reached her 117th birthday this Friday. This milestone makes her the first person from the United Kingdom to achieve this age according to official records maintained by Guinness World Records. She celebrated the occasion with family and friends at her care home.
Her life spans significant historical events, including two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, and the sinking of the Titanic. She is noted for her resilience, having recovered from COVID-19 at the age of 110. Born in 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, she is the last surviving person born during the reign of King Edward VII.
Caterham previously worked as a nanny in India where she met her husband, Major Norman Caterham. The couple lived in several locations including Hong Kong before returning to the United Kingdom. She remains a prominent figure in records of extreme longevity, though she is still younger than Jeanne Calment, who reached 122 years before her death.
In September 2025, King Charles visited Caterham to mark her 116th birthday. During their conversation, she shared memories of his 1969 investiture. Today, her family includes three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.