The world’s oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, celebrates her 117th birthday today, becoming the first British person in recorded history to reach the age of 117. Mrs. Caterham is one of only 13 people in recorded history verified to have reached age 117.

[PRESSWIRE] LIGHTWATER, SURREY — 21 August, 2026 — The world’s oldest living person, Ethel Caterham, celebrates her 117th birthday today, becoming the first British person in recorded history to reach the age of 117. Mrs. Caterham is one of only 13 people in recorded history verified to have reached age 117.

Born Ethel May Collins on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, Mrs. Caterham has lived through more than a century of extraordinary change. At 18, she travelled by ship to India to work as a nanny before returning to England, where she married British Army officer Norman Caterham. The couple later lived in Gibraltar and Hong Kong and had two daughters.

Mrs. Caterham remained remarkably independent throughout later life. Following her husband’s death, she learned to drive at 67 and continued driving until she was 97.

She has attributed her longevity in part to moderation. “I’ve enjoyed everything in life, but in moderation,” she has said. Her other memorable advice reflects the independent spirit that has characterised her life: “I never argue with anyone. I listen to what they say, and then do as I like.”

Mrs. Caterham is marking her 117th birthday with a modest celebration at her care home in Surrey, surrounded by family and fellow residents.

A Message From the World’s Oldest Man

To celebrate the milestone, Mrs. Caterham received a special birthday greeting from the world’s oldest living man, João Marinho Neto of Brazil, aged 113.

Smiling for a photograph, Mr. Marinho Neto offered the message “Parabéns Ethel” — Portuguese for “Congratulations Ethel.” The greeting marks the second known occasion on which the world’s oldest living man and woman have had contact, the first being Mrs. Caterham’s 116th birthday last year.

Mrs. Caterham also received birthday wishes coordinated by LongeviQuest researchers from fellow British supercentenarian Hilda Luck, 112, and Owen Filer, Wales’ oldest man.

Mrs. Caterham is the world’s oldest living person, the longest-lived British person ever recorded, and the first British person in history to reach 117 years of age.

LongeviQuest sends its warmest congratulations to Mrs. Caterham on this historic milestone and wishes her a very happy 117th birthday.

About LongeviQuest

LongeviQuest is the global authority on maximum human longevity, responsible for identifying, verifying and documenting the world’s oldest people.

Media Contacts:

Ben Meyers: benmeyers@longeviquest.com (LongeviQuest CEO)

Ben Hinchliffe: benhinchliffe@longeviquest.com (LongeviQuest Lead UK Researcher)

Photos and additional information available upon request.

Photo Credits:

Ethel Caterham — LongeviQuest

João Marinho Neto — Marinho Family

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