‘Never Argue, Listen, Do What I Like’ World’s Oldest Person Turns 117

SURREY, ENGLAND (THECOUNT) — Ethel Caterham, the world’s oldest living person, celebrated her 117th birthday Friday with family and friends, becoming the first British person ever to reach the age of 117.

Caterham, who lives in a nursing home in Surrey in southeast England, marked the milestone on Friday, Aug. 21. She told the U.K.’s PA Media news agency that she had a “lovely day celebrating with my family and friends,” according to reports from CNN and the BBC.

Caterham became the world’s oldest living person last year following the death of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas at age 116. At the time, Caterham was 115 years and 252 days old.

Her latest birthday establishes another milestone in her remarkable life. According to Guinness World Records, she is the first person from Britain to reach 117 years old.

Caterham has previously shared several pieces of advice when asked about her extraordinary longevity. In May 2025, she told the Associated Press that her approach was to avoid arguments, listen to others and do what she wanted.

“Never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like,” Caterham said.

During a 2020 interview with BBC Radio Surrey, Caterham said she tried to take “everything in stride, the highs and the lows,” according to The Guardian.

She also offered another perspective on longevity when the Salisbury Journal asked about the secret to her long life. According to Guinness World Records, Caterham advised people to say yes to opportunities because they never know where those opportunities might lead. She also emphasized maintaining a positive attitude and practicing moderation.

Her extraordinary age has brought attention from Britain’s royal family as well. Shortly after her 116th birthday last year, King Charles III traveled to Surrey to meet Caterham and present her with a birthday card.

During the visit, Caterham recalled seeing Charles when he was invested as the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969, when he was 21 years old. She told the King that she remembered the occasion and recalled that many young women were attracted to him at the time.

“All the girls were in love with you and wanted to marry you,” Caterham told Charles, prompting the King to laugh.

Her granddaughter, Kate Henderson, added that Caterham had recently made a similar observation about Charles, recalling how handsome he was as a young man.

Caterham also received a birthday greeting from João Marinho Neto, the world’s oldest man. According to Guinness World Records, Marinho Neto held up a celebratory photograph of Caterham from his home in Brazil to mark her 117th birthday.

Although Caterham now holds the title of world’s oldest living person, she does not hold the record for the oldest person ever verified.

That record belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old before her death in 1997, according to Guinness World Records.

Caterham’s 117th birthday marks another historic achievement for the British centenarian, whose life now spans more than a century and whose longevity has made her one of the world’s most notable living people.

Surrey is a county in southeast England, located immediately southwest of London and forming part of the broader London metropolitan area.

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