She Just Turned 117: See the Simple Secret Keeping Her Alive
World’s Oldest Person Ethel Caterham Celebrates 117th Birthday!
Meet the Amazing Ethel Caterham
Imagine being alive when the Titanic was still being built, when World War I hadn’t happened yet, and when kings and queens ruled much of the world. That’s exactly the world Ethel Caterham was born into!
On August 21, 2026, Ethel turned 117 years old, making her the oldest living person on Earth according to Guinness World Records. She lives in Surrey, England, and celebrated her special day surrounded by family and friends.
Important News Flash
Ethel Caterham officially holds TWO Guinness World Records titles:
- Oldest Person Living (any gender)
- Oldest Woman Living
She earned these titles in 2025 after the previous record holder, Inah Canabarro Lucas from Brazil, passed away at age 116.
A Life Spanning Over a Century of History
Ethel was born on August 21, 1909 in the United Kingdom. Let’s put that in perspective:
| When Ethel Was Born… | Today |
|---|---|
| King Edward VII was on the British throne | King Charles III is king (Edward VII was his great-great-grandfather!) |
| The Titanic hadn’t sailed yet | We have smartphones, internet, and space travel |
| World War I was still 5 years away | We’ve lived through WWII, the Cold War, and beyond |
| Women couldn’t vote in the UK | Women lead countries and companies worldwide |
| Cars were rare luxury items | Electric cars and self-driving tech exist |
Ethel’s Birthday Message: "Still Having Firsts at 117!"
Ethel sent a delightful message to ABC News for her birthday:
"Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I’ve had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King! I’ve had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings!"
This Year’s "Firsts" for Ethel:
- Stroking a llama (how fun!)
- Holding hands with King Charles III
Royal Connection: Tea with the King
In September 2025, Ethel met King Charles III at a special event. They had a wonderful chat about history — Ethel actually remembered watching Charles’s investiture as Prince of Wales back in 1969! That’s 56 years before they met. Talk about a living history book!
What’s Ethel’s Secret to Living So Long?
When asked by The Associated Press, Ethel shared her simple but powerful philosophy:
Ethel’s Longevity Secret:
"Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like."
That’s it! No fights, good listening, and following your own path. Simple wisdom from someone who’s seen it all.
Science Corner: Why This Might Work
Scientists say chronic stress from conflict can hurt your health over time. Ethel’s "no arguments" approach might help keep her stress levels low — which is great for your heart, brain, and immune system!
Ethel’s Family Tree
Ethel comes from a long-lived family:
- 7th of 8 children (she had 7 siblings!)
- One sister lived to 104 — longevity runs in the family
- Married to Norman Caterham (passed away in 1976)
- Two daughters: Gem and Anne (both passed away)
- 3 grandchildren
- 5 great-grandchildren
From Nanny to Nursery Owner: Ethel’s Career
Before becoming a supercentenarian (that’s someone 110+!), Ethel had a busy career:
- Worked as a nanny — caring for other people’s children
- Ran her own nursery — a preschool for little ones
- Now lives in a care home in Surrey, England, where she’s well looked after
How the World Celebrated
Guinness World Records sent their official birthday wishes:
"Wishing Ethel Caterham the happiest of birthdays, from Guinness World Records! Holding the GWR title for both the oldest person living and oldest woman living is certainly something to celebrate! We hope she has a wonderful day with loved ones."
Ethel and her family kept things cozy and private this year — just a lovely family gathering at her care home.
Quick Summary
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ethel Caterham |
| Age | 117 (born August 21, 1909) |
| Title | World’s Oldest Living Person & Oldest Living Woman (Guinness World Records) |
| Lives | Surrey, England |
| Secret | "Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like" |
| Family | 3 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren |
| Career | Former nanny and nursery owner |
| Fun Fact | Met King Charles III in 2025; remembered his 1969 investiture! |
| Birthday 2026 | Private celebration with family; "firsts" included llama-stroking! |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: How does Guinness World Records verify someone is the oldest?
A: They check official birth certificates, census records, marriage certificates, and other government documents from throughout the person’s life. It’s a very careful process!
Q: Has anyone lived longer than 117?
A: Yes! The all-time record belongs to Jeanne Calment from France, who lived to 122 years, 164 days (1875–1997). Ethel still has a few years to catch up!
Q: What’s a "supercentenarian"?
A: It’s the fancy scientific word for someone who’s 110 years old or older. Ethel is definitely in this exclusive club!
Q: Does Ethel take any special medicine or vitamins?
A: The article doesn’t mention any! Her secret seems to be attitude-based (no arguing, listening, doing what she likes) plus good genes (her sister lived to 104).
Q: How many 117-year-olds are there in the world right now?
A: Very few! Ethel is currently the only one verified by Guinness World Records. Reaching 117 is incredibly rare.
Final Thought
Ethel Caterham’s story reminds us that age is just a number. At 117, she’s still trying new things (llamas!), meeting kings, and enjoying life with family. Her simple philosophy — be kind, listen well, and stay true to yourself — might just be the best life advice any of us could get.
Happy 117th, Ethel!