World’s oldest living person Ethel Caterham turns 117

Ethel Caterham, recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person, has celebrated her 117th birthday with a private gathering with family and friends.

“Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes. Even at 117, I've had many firsts this year, from stroking a llama to holding hands with the King!” Caterham said in a message to ABC News. “I've had a lovely day celebrating with my family and friends, and I look forward to seeing what next year brings!”

Caterham met King Charles III in September last year and shared memories of watching his investiture as Prince of Wales in 1969, according to the BBC.

Born in the United Kingdom on August 21, 1909, Caterham was born during the reign of Charles’s great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.

Guinness World Records named her the world’s oldest living person last year following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at the age of 116. Caterham is also recognized by Guinness as the world’s oldest living woman.

She is the seventh of eight siblings, according to Guinness World Records. One of her siblings lived to the age of 104.

Caterham outlived her husband, Norman Caterham, who died in 1976, as well as their two daughters, Gem and Anne. She is now a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of five.

During her working life, Caterham was a nanny and later ran a nursery.

She now lives in a care home in Surrey, England.

According to Guinness World Records, Caterham and her family are marking her milestone birthday with a private celebration.

By Tamilla Hasanova