World's Oldest Person Turns 117
The oldest person in the world, Britishwoman Ethel Caterham, has turned 117.
Consensus
- Ethel Caton is the world's oldest verified living person.
- She turned 117 years old on August 21.
- She was born on August 21, 1909.
- She lives in a care home in Surrey, England.
- She celebrated her birthday with family and friends.
- She became the world's oldest person in May 2025.
- She is the first British person to reach 117 years of age.
- She is ranked 13th among the longest-lived verified people in history.
- She survived COVID-19 at age 110.
- She was visited by King Charles III in September 2025.
- She remains the last known person born before 1910 with verified age.
- Guinness World Records recognizes her status.
Points of divergence
- She drove a car until age 97. — fontanka
- She worked as a nanny in India at age 18. — fontanka
- She opened a kindergarten in Hong Kong. — fontanka
- She has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. — fontanka
- She was recognized as the oldest person after the death of 116-year-old Brazilian woman Iana Canabarro Lucas. — fontanka
- She is the last person born before 1910 who is still alive with verified age. — fontanka
- The Uzbek woman Khuvaido Umarova was claimed to be born on January 1, 1895, but lacks archival proof and international verification. — fontanka
- She met King Charles III shortly after turning 116. — vm
- She expressed excitement about what the next year will bring. — vm
- Ben Meyer, head of LongeviQuest, confirmed her 13th place in the list of longest-lived people. — tg_tass_agency
- Ben Meyer, head of LongeviQuest, stated she is 13th on the list of longest-lived verified people. — vesti
- She is one of the oldest people to have recovered from COVID-19. — tg_varlamov_news
Coverage (6 sources)
- Born before the First World War and drove until 97 years old. The oldest person in the world is 117 — Фонтанка
- The oldest person in the world has reached 117 years of age — Ведомости
- The oldest living person, Britishwoman Ethel Caterham, has turned 117, reports Guinness World Records. — Varlamov News
- The oldest person in the world celebrated her 117th birthday — Вечерняя Москва
- The oldest person in the world turned 117. Britishwoman Ethel Caterham, living in a nursing home in the county of S... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- 117 years in the company of family: the oldest resident of Earth celebrates birthday — Вести