SURrey, England — August 22, 2026
British woman Ethel Caterham has made history by becoming the first verified person from Britain to reach the remarkable age of 117.
Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, August 21, surrounded by family and friends at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey. Guinness World Records confirmed that she is the first-ever Briton to reach 117.
Born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Caterham was born during the reign of King Edward VII, five years before the outbreak of the First World War. She has lived through two world wars, the Russian Revolution, the reigns of six British monarchs and the COVID-19 pandemic.
She became the world's oldest living person in 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116. Experts from LongeviQuest have verified Caterham's longevity, placing her among the oldest verified people ever recorded.
Despite her extraordinary age, Caterham continues to embrace new experiences. During the past year, she met King Charles III at her care home and even held his hand. She also described stroking a llama as another memorable "first" in her 117th year.
Caterham has previously offered a remarkably simple explanation for her longevity: avoiding arguments, listening to others and doing what she likes. She has also spoken about enjoying life in moderation.
Her life has been one of remarkable adventure. At 18, she travelled alone by ship to India, where she worked as a nanny for a British military family. She later married British Army officer Norman Caterham, with whom she had two daughters. She eventually became a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Caterham also survived COVID-19 after contracting the virus at the age of 110.
Her 117th birthday is not only a personal milestone but a significant moment in British longevity history. According to LongeviQuest, she has surpassed the previous British longevity record held by Charlotte Hughes and is now the 13th-oldest verified person ever recorded.
As celebrations continued, Caterham remained characteristically optimistic about the future.
"I look forward to seeing what next year brings," she said.
At 117, Ethel Caterham's story stands as an extraordinary reminder of just how much history one human life can witness — and how every new year can still bring unexpected firsts.
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