Ethel Caterham, the last surviving Edwardian, celebrated her 116th birthday on Thursday. Born in 1909, she is the oldest living person and the last subject of King Edward VII. Caterham lived through two world wars, met her husband at a dinner party in 1931, and was a widow for nearly half a century.
She became the oldest living person after the death of Brazilian nun Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas in April. Caterham said she takes things “in my stride” and enjoys doing what she likes. She will celebrate her birthday with family at her care home in Surrey, where she lives, taking it easy and doing it on her own terms.
Caterham’s life was marked by significant events of the time, including the introduction of state pensions, Claude Monet’s Water Lilies exhibition in Paris, and the opening of Selfridges in London. She is now 116 years old, following in the footsteps of Jeanne Calment, who held the title until her death at 122 years old.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/aug/21/ethel-caterham-worlds-oldest-person-116th-birthday