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117-Year-Old Celebrates Life, Recalls King Charles Visit
21 Aug
Summary
- Ethel Caterham became the world's oldest living person in April 2025.
- She survived Covid-19 in 2020 at the remarkable age of 110.
- King Charles visited her in September, just after her 116th birthday.
Ethel Caterham, now 117, celebrated her birthday surrounded by loved ones in Surrey on Friday. She officially became the world's oldest living person in April 2025, following the passing of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas.
Caterham's extraordinary life began three years before the Titanic disaster and eight years before the Russian Revolution. She has witnessed two world wars and even recovered from Covid-19 in 2020 at the age of 110, a fact recognized by Guinness World Records.
Originally from Hampshire, Caterham's early life included a period in India as an au pair in 1927. She later met her husband, Norman, in 1931, and they resided in Hong Kong, where she established a nursery school.
Her husband passed away in 1976. Caterham, who was still driving at 97, received a visit from King Charles last September. She reminisced with the King about his investiture in 1969, recalling his popularity among young women.
The record for the oldest person ever remains with Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at 122 years and 164 days.
