World’s oldest person Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday
Ethel Caterham is the first British citizen to reach the age of 117. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person on Earth, she celebrated her birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey. During the event, Caterham noted she has experienced several firsts over the past year. Her milestone marks a record for longevity within the United Kingdom.
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- ✓ Ethel Caterham is the world's oldest living person.
- ✓ Ethel Caterham is the first British person to reach the age of 117.
- ✓ Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026.
- ✓ Guinness World Records recognizes Ethel Caterham as the oldest person on Earth.
What changed
Guinness World Records confirmed Caterham is the first British person to reach age 117.
Live updates
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Ethel Caterham becomes first Briton to reach age 117
Ethel Caterham is the first British citizen to reach the age of 117. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person on Earth, she celebrated her birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey. During the event, Caterham noted she has experienced several firsts over the past year. Her milestone marks a record for longevity within the United Kingdom.
Why it matters
Caterham's status as the world's oldest person is verified by Guinness World Records. The celebration took place in a region southwest of London. This event establishes a new age benchmark for British nationals.
What is confirmed
- Ethel Caterham is the world's oldest living person.
- Ethel Caterham is the first British person to reach the age of 117.
- Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026.
- Guinness World Records recognizes Ethel Caterham as the oldest person on Earth.
What to watch next
- Verification of further longevity records
- Public release of details regarding Caterham's health and longevity secrets
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- Guinness World Records — World's oldest person Ethel Caterham becomes first-ever Brit to reach age 117
- 11Alive.com — Oldest person on Earth, a British woman, turns 117
- www.ibtimes.sg — World's Oldest Person Ethel Caterham Turns 117: The Secrets Behind Her Longevity
- www.lokmat.com — ऐतिहासिक घटनांच्या साक्षीदार! जगातील वयोवृद्ध एथेल कॅटरहॅम यांनी ...
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Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday as world's oldest living person
Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on Friday, August 21, 2026. The celebration took place at her care home in Lightwater, Surrey, located southwest of London. Recognized by Guinness World Records, Caterham currently holds the title of the world's oldest living person. During the festivities, she remarked that she has experienced many firsts throughout the current year.
Why it matters
Caterham officially became the oldest living person in April 2025. Her current age puts her in a rare group of supercentenarians, though she remains behind the all-time record held by Jeanne Calment. Calment lived to 122 years and 164 days before passing away in 1997.
What is confirmed
- Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday on August 21.
- Caterham is recognized as the world's oldest living person.
- The birthday celebration occurred in Lightwater, Surrey.
- Guinness World Records recognized Caterham as the world's oldest living person in April 2025.
Still unconfirmed
- Jeanne Calment holds the record for the oldest person ever at 122 years and 164 days.
What to watch next
- Further disclosures regarding Caterham's longevity secrets.
- Verification of any new milestones or records reached by Caterham.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (11)
- CNN — World’s oldest person Ethel Caterham celebrates 117th birthday
- BBC — World's oldest person celebrates turning 117 in Lightwater
- Yahoo — World’s Oldest Person Shares Her Longevity Secrets
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — World's oldest living person celebrates 117th birthday
- USA Today — World's oldest living person just turned one year older. Meet Ethel
- Yahoo — World’s oldest person celebrates 117th birthday: ‘I’ve had many firsts this year’
- consent.yahoo.com — World's oldest person celebrates 117th birthday: 'I've had many firsts this year'
- eu.usatoday.com — World's oldest living person just turned one year older. Meet Ethel
- www.wionews.com — Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, marks her 117th birthday
- www.turkiyetoday.com — World's oldest person, Ethel Caterham, turns 117
- www.anews.com.tr — World’s oldest person celebrates 117th birthday in UK
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