Ethel Caterham, recognized as the world's oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday in Lightwater, Surrey. Born before the sinking of the RMS Titanic, Caterham has witnessed significant historical events, including two world wars, and recovered from a COVID-19 infection at the age of 110.
Last September, shortly after her 116th birthday, Caterham received a visit from King Charles. During their meeting, she reminisced about his 1969 investiture as the Prince of Wales, recalling his youth and his appeal to young women.
Caterham married Norman, a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, in 1931 after meeting him at a dinner party in the United Kingdom. The couple later resided in Hong Kong, where she established a nursery school. They had two daughters, both of whom predeceased her. Norman Caterham died in 1976. One of Ethel Caterham's sisters, Gladys, also lived to be a centenarian, reaching the age of 104.
Even at 97, Caterham was still driving. The record for the oldest person ever is held by French woman Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at the age of 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.