Ethel Caterham Becomes First Brit to Turn 117 Years Old

Ethel Caterham, born on 21 August 1909, has celebrated her 117th birthday, becoming the first verified British person to reach this age, according to Guinness World Records. Living in a care home in Surrey, she previously became the first Brit to turn 116 a year ago.

Ben Meyers, CEO of LongeviQuest, noted her remarkable longevity, stating she is the 13th oldest person ever and has the third longest reign as the world's oldest person in 11 years. Caterham, who is the last living person born before 1910, has lived through two World Wars, the sinking of the Titanic, and the Covid-19 pandemic, surviving the virus at age 110.

Born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, as the second youngest of eight children, she traveled to India at 18 to work as a nanny and married Major Norman Caterham in 1933. She has outlived her husband and both daughters, now having three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.