Ethel Caterham, the last surviving Edwardian and the world’s oldest living person, marked her 116th birthday on Thursday. Born on 21 August 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, she has lived through seismic historical shifts, from the reign of Edward VII to the digital age. Her extraordinary life has made her a living link to a world that has long since disappeared.
A Life Spanning Eras
Caterham was born during the Edwardian era, just five years before the start of the First World War. She was the second youngest of eight siblings and became the last surviving subject of Edward VII. Over her lifetime, she has witnessed two world wars, the rise and fall of empires, and unprecedented technological advances. She married Norman Caterham, a major in the British army, whom she met at a dinner party in 1931. Together, they lived in Hong Kong and Gibraltar and raised two children before Norman’s death in 1976.
Becoming the World’s Oldest Person
Caterham assumed the title of world’s oldest living person in April after the death of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas of Brazil. Despite her extraordinary longevity, Caterham is known for her understated outlook on life. In a 2020 interview with the BBC, she said she took “everything in my stride, the highs and lows,” adding, “I listen and I do what I like.” Her care home in Lightwater, Surrey, confirmed that she celebrated her birthday quietly with her family, taking the day “at her own pace.”
Royal Recognition and Global Records
King Charles has personally recognized Caterham’s milestone birthdays, sending her a card for her 115th last year. While Caterham currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living person, the record for the oldest person ever belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days. According to the Gerontology Research Group, Caterham’s remarkable longevity continues to inspire interest around the world.
A Glimpse Back to 1909
When Caterham was born, Herbert Asquith was Britain’s prime minister, William Howard Taft was president of the United States, and Alfred Deakin was serving as Australia’s prime minister. The UK had just introduced state pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act. Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series debuted in Paris, General Electric patented the electric toaster, and Manchester United won its first FA Cup. The same year, Selfridges opened its doors on London’s Oxford Street, and the first international flying show was staged in Reims, France. Caterham’s birth year was a world where picture hats, Edwardian opulence, and the dawn of aviation defined modern life.
Conclusion
Ethel Caterham’s 116th birthday is more than a personal milestone—it is a bridge across centuries. From Edwardian England to the modern era, her life has encompassed history’s most transformative events. Quietly celebrating with her family, she remains a testament to resilience, longevity, and the living memory of a bygone age.
