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World's oldest person celebrates turning 117
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Ethel Caterham celebrated her 117th birthday in Surrey, becoming the world's oldest living person since April 2025 following the death of Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas.
- Born in 1908, Ethel has lived through significant historical events including the Titanic disaster, two world wars, and the Russian Revolution.
- She is one of the oldest known survivors of Covid-19, having contracted the virus at age 110 in 2020.
- Ethel has a rich personal history, including time spent in India as an au pair, marriage to a British Army lieutenant colonel, and raising two daughters who predeceased her.
- Despite her longevity, the record for the oldest person ever remains with Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days.
