Ethel Caterham Clocks 117, Becomes Britain's Oldest Ever Person

British centenarian Ethel Caterham has achieved a remarkable milestone, celebrating her 117th birthday and making history as the first individual from Britain ever verified to reach such an advanced age. She continues to reside peacefully at a care facility in Surrey.

According to Guinness World Records, Ms. Caterham, born on August 21, 1909, is the first Briton confirmed to have lived to 117 years. Ben Meyers, the Chief Executive Officer of LongeviQuest, highlighted the profound historical significance of her lifespan, particularly within the context of the United Kingdom.

Meyers stated, “Her longevity is becoming truly historic, especially in terms of the UK. After becoming the first British person to reach age 116 a year ago, she is now the first British person to reach 117. She is consistently adding to her British longevity record, which was previously set by Charlotte Hughes, who passed away in 1993. Ethel is the 13th oldest person ever. Her reign as the world’s oldest person is already the third longest in 11 years. She remains the last living person born before 1910. Simply put, she is incredible!”

Living in a care home located in Surrey, approximately 25 miles from London, Mrs. Caterham shared her sentiments with the UK’s PA Media news agency, saying, “I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings.”

In other recent Guinness World Records news, Nathan Thomas, an 18-year-old, was recognized as the world’s youngest male professor, while marathon runner Akinbode transformed a bad cholesterol diagnosis into a record-breaking achievement. Additionally, Guinness World Records confirmed an Afrobeats orchestra record involving Saheed Osupa, Malaika, and others.

Last year in September, shortly after her 116th birthday, King Charles paid her a visit. During their conversation, she vividly recalled his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales, telling him, “All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you.”

Her extraordinary 117 years of life have spanned monumental global events, including two World Wars, the tragic sinking of the Titanic, the tumultuous Russian Revolution, and the recent Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, she is recognized by Guinness World Records as one of the oldest individuals to overcome the coronavirus, having contracted it in 2020 when she was 110 years old.

Details from the report indicate that she was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, as the second youngest of eight children, and holds the distinction of being the last living individual born during the reign of King Edward VII. At the age of 18, she embarked on a solo journey to India to work as a nanny. She later married Major Norman Caterham in 1933 at Salisbury Cathedral. The couple spent some time residing in Hong Kong, where she established a nursery, before eventually returning to Surrey. It is reported that she has outlived her husband, who passed away in 1976, and both of her daughters. She is now a grandmother to three granddaughters and a great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren. The remarkable subject of human longevity continues to be a focal point of intense research and interest within the global scientific community.