Ethel Caterham Celebrates 117th Birthday as World's Oldest Person

Ethel Caterham Celebrates 117th Birthday as World's Oldest Person

Society

USA Today reported that Ethel Caterham, recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, turned 117 on 21 August and marked the milestone with low-key celebrations at Hallmark Lakeview Care Home in Lightwater, Surrey. BBC noted that her birthday made her the oldest living person after a Brazilian nun held the title since April 2025. CNN added that she became the first Briton ever recorded to reach 117 and received congratulatory messages from world leaders and from the world's oldest man.

Actors

Ethel Caterham King Charles III Hallmark Lakeview Care Home

Locations

Hallmark Lakeview Care Home, Lightwater, Surrey, United Kingdom Lightwater, Surrey, United Kingdom Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, United Kingdom India Salisbury, United Kingdom Gibraltar Hong Kong

Articles

August 21, 2026
4 total
Ethel Caterham, 117, Marks Birthday as World's Oldest Living Person
Ethel Caterham, 117, Marks Birthday as World's Oldest Living Person

USA Today • 21 Aug 17:12

Ethel Caterham, recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person, turned 117 on Aug. 21 and marked the occasion with low-key celebrations at her Surrey care home.

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British woman Ethel Caterham turns 117, becoming first UK centenarian to reach the age
British woman Ethel Caterham turns 117, becoming first UK centenarian to reach the age

CNN • 21 Aug 13:56

Ethel Caterham, aged 117, marked her birthday in a Surrey care home, becoming the first Briton recorded to reach that age, while receiving messages from world leaders and the world’s oldest man.

Credibility 78% Manip. 7% Center
Ethel Caterham, 117, marks birthday as world's oldest living person
Ethel Caterham, 117, marks birthday as world's oldest living person

The Independent • 21 Aug 11:37

Ethel Caterham turned 117 on Friday, becoming the longest-lived verified person after succeeding a Brazilian nun in April 2025, and credited a non-confrontational attitude for her longevity.

Credibility 71% Manip. 9% Center
Ethel Caterham, aged 117, marks milestone as world’s oldest living person
Ethel Caterham, aged 117, marks milestone as world’s oldest living person

BBC • 21 Aug 05:05

Ethel Caterham turned 117 in Surrey, becoming the world’s oldest living person after succeeding a Brazilian nun in April 2025.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center
August 20, 2026
1 total
Ethel Caterham, 117, marks birthday as world's oldest living person
Ethel Caterham, 117, marks birthday as world's oldest living person

The Independent • 20 Aug 23:01

Ethel Caterham turned 117 on Friday, becoming the longest-lived verified person after succeeding a Brazilian nun in April 2025, and credited a non-confrontational attitude for her longevity.

Credibility 71% Manip. 9% Center

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