Ethel Caterham, described as the world’s oldest British woman, has reached the age of 117. She lives in a care home in Surrey, about 25 miles from London. João Marinho Neto of Brazil, described as the oldest man, sent her congratulations. Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, in southern England.

Caterham was the second youngest of eight siblings. In 1931, she met British Army Major Norman Caterham at a dinner event, and they married two years later. Her husband died in 1976. She has three granddaughters and five great-grandchildren.

King Charles III visited Caterham shortly after her 116th birthday in September 2025. She is also among the oldest people to have recovered after contracting coronavirus at the age of 110 in 2020. The report cited CNN, PA Media and Guinness World Records as sources.