21st August 2026, marks an extraordinary milestone in Lightwater, Surrey, as the world’s oldest person, Ethel Caterham, celebrates her 117th birthday.
Reaching such an age is an achievement reserved for only the most exceptional individuals. Ethel’s remarkable milestone places her among a very small group of people in history to have reached 117, representing an extraordinary testament to her strength, resilience, and positive outlook on life. Ethel’s 117th birthday is a historic moment for Britain, as Ethel becomes the first British person ever recorded to reach this remarkable age.
A Life Spanning More Than a Century
Ethel May Caterham (née Collins) was born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England, and grew up in Wiltshire. She was the seventh of eight children born to Alfred Collins (1867–1927) and Fanny Shears (1867–1951). Growing up in Edwardian Britain, Ethel and her siblings experienced a very different world from today. Their family lived simply, without electricity or running water, growing their own vegetables and even keeping a pig.
At the age of 18, Ethel began an adventure that was unusual for a young woman of her time. In 1927, she accepted a position as a nanny for a British family moving to India. Embracing the opportunity for travel and discovery, she embarked on a three-week journey by ship to begin a new chapter of her life overseas. After three years in India, Ethel returned to England, where she met her future husband, Norman Caterham, at a dinner party in 1931. Norman was a major in the British Army, and the couple later married at Salisbury Cathedral before moving to Gibraltar, where Norman was stationed.
The couple went on to have two daughters, Ethel (1933–2005) and Ann (1937–2020), before returning to Surrey in 1938. In 1957, the Caterham’s re-located again, this time to Hong Kong, following Norman’s promotion to lieutenant general in the British Army.
During her time in Hong Kong, Ethel established a nursery and taught English to both local and British children. She returned to the United Kingdom in 1960, bringing with her memories of a life filled with travel, service, and new experiences.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)
Independence, Optimism and Staying Busy
After more than 40 years of marriage, Ethel was widowed in August 1976 when Norman died at the age of 71. Rather than seeing this as an ending, Ethel viewed it as a new chapter. She continued to embrace life, enjoying gardening, walking her dogs, spending time with family, and socialising with friends.
Her independence remained hugely important to her. At the age of 67, following her husband’s death, Ethel learnt to drive and continued doing so until she was 97. She also took up bridge and remained an enthusiastic player well into her centenarian years. Her advice for retirement has always been simple: “When you retire you must stay busy, must find a hobby.”
(Source: Courtesy of the family)
Celebrating a Remarkable 117 Years
Now aged 117, Ethel enjoys a peaceful life surrounded by care, companionship, and the activities she loves. One of her favourite places is Ethel’s Garden, named in her honour for her 115th birthday. There she enjoys sitting in the sunshine, listening to birdsong, smelling the beautiful aroma of the many varieties of flowers that surround her. She also takes part in activities at her care home, particularly enjoying visits from singers and joining in quizzes — which, perhaps thanks to more than a century of knowledge and experience, she occasionally wins.
True to her character, not wanting much fuss, Ethel chose to have a modest birthday celebration. Her special day was marked by a celebratory afternoon tea with her family and fellow residents and of course a birthday cake specially prepared by the care home’s chef. As has become a tradition for recent birthdays, guests were entertained by Ethel’s favourite singer, a Frank Sinatra tribute performer “So Sinatra”, who included her favourite song, Three Coins in a Fountain, in the celebrations.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)
In the record books
Ethel’s late daughter Ann once reflected on her mother’s extraordinary longevity, saying when Ethel turned 106: “I tell her she’ll end up in the record books but she just takes it all in her stride.” Ann’s words proved to be remarkably accurate. Today, as the Longest-Lived British person ever, Ethel is firmly part of history, continuing to inspire people around the world while approaching each day with the same calm determination that has defined her life.
Asked about the secret to her longevity, Ethel has always insisted there is no single answer, simply saying: “I’ve enjoyed everything in life, but in moderation.” She also shares another piece of advice: “I never argue with anyone. I listen to what they say, and then do as I like.”
Birthday Messages From Around the World
To mark Ethel’s 117th birthday, the LongeviQuest team sent her a special bouquet of flowers, arranged by local florist Kim Lane of Surrey Flowers, along with a personalised birthday card. Researchers Ben Hinchliffe and Georg Fuerhozler also organised a collection of congratulatory messages from people around the world.
World’s Oldest Man, João Marinho Neto, 113, offering his congratulations to Ethel.
For the second time, Ethel received a special greeting from the world’s oldest man, João Marinho Neto, aged 113. The message was coordinated by João’s granddaughter Valeria Marinho alongside Ben Hinchliffe and João’s care team. Wearing a smart pink shirt and smiling for a photograph, João shared the simple message: “Parabéns Ethel” — meaning “Congratulations Ethel.” This marks the second known occasion when the world’s oldest living man and the world’s oldest living woman have had contact.
Ethel also received warm wishes from fellow British supercentenarian Hilda Luck, aged 112, who lives in Kent. Through her granddaughter Jemma, Hilda, sent the message: “Happy Birthday Ethel! Wow – 117! You’re certainly winning the race! Many happy returns and very best wishes from Hilda Luck, 112, in Kent.”
Wales’ oldest man, Owen Filer, aged 106, also sent his congratulations, expressing his amazement that Ethel is a decade older than him. Owen shared the words: “Greetings Ethel my dearest, I wish you a very happy 117th birthday! It’s wonderful… 117, 10 years more than me, unbelievable! You truly are the top lady of the day. I raise a glass to you and send my congratulations! Best wishes from Wales’ oldest man, Owen Filer, 107 years old very soon”
An Extraordinary Legacy
At 117 years old, Ethel Caterham stands as a remarkable link to a Britain that has almost entirely disappeared. Born during the reign of King Edward VII, she has lived through two World Wars, the invention and transformation of radio, television and aviation, the arrival of commercial air travel, the space age, the digital revolution and the emergence of technologies that would have been unimaginable during her childhood.
Ethel’s story is ultimately not simply about reaching an exceptional age. It is about a life filled with curiosity, independence, family, friendship, travel and a willingness to keep moving forward. As she celebrates her 117th birthday, Ethel continues to represent the very best of human resilience, curiosity, and optimism. Her extraordinary journey through more than a century of history remains an inspiration to people across Britain and around the world.
LongeviQuest sends warmest congratulations to Mrs. Caterham on her momentous achievement of becoming the first British person to reach the age of 117. We wish her a very happy birthday and continued good health and happiness.
