Ethel Caterham celebrates her 117th birthday

Ethel Caterham, the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday on August 21, 2026. Residing at the Hallmark Lakeview care home in Lightwater, Surrey, southwest of London, she spent the day with family and friends. Reflecting on her long life, she expressed gratitude for her recent experiences, which included meeting King Charles III and petting a llama.

Caterham became the world’s oldest person in April 2025 following the death of Brazilian nun Ina Canabarro Lucas at age 116. A notable highlight of her 116th year was a visit from King Charles III in September 2025. During their encounter, she shared memories of his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales, an event she witnessed when she was 21 years old. Throughout her milestone year, Caterham has continued to capture global attention as a testament to human longevity.

Currently, Caterham remains under the care of the Hallmark Lakeview facility. She continues to share insights into her life and maintains an optimistic outlook as she enters her 118th year.