Ethel Caterham, world's oldest person, celebrates 116th birthday
Ethel May Caterham, who was born five years before the First World War, became the oldest known living person in April after the death of the Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who died aged 116.
Caterham was born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, the second youngest of eight siblings.
This makes her the last surviving subject of Edward VII, who died in May 1910. She is also the last person alive who was born in the first decade of the 1900s.
• Ethel Caterham becomes oldest person in the world, age 115
On Thursday, she will celebrate her birthday in the village of Lightwater and take the day 'at her own pace', surrounded by her family.
A spokesman for her care home said: 'Ethel and her family are so grateful for all of the kind messages and interest shown to her as she celebrates her 116th birthday this year.
'Ethel has again chosen not to give any interviews, preferring to spend the day quietly with her family so that she can enjoy it at her own pace. The King may be her one concession, understandably. Thank you again for your kind wishes on this special day.'
Last year she was sent a birthday card by Charles to mark her 115th birthday. At the time, she said she 'didn't know why there was all the fuss'.
After being raised in Tidworth, Wiltshire, Caterham worked as an au pair in India for three years. Upon her return to the UK aged 21, she met her husband Norman, who was a major in the British Army, at a dinner party in 1931.
The couple, who had two daughters, were stationed in Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
Her husband died almost 50 years ago in 1976, the Gerontology Research Group said. She also outlived both of her children.
Longevity runs in the family. One of Caterham's sisters lived to 104.
Caterham drove her car until she was 97 and enjoyed playing bridge in her centenarian years.
Shortly before her 111th birthday, Caterham told BBC Radio Surrey the secret to her longevity was 'taking everything in my stride, the highs and the lows'. She has also previously said her motto for a long life was 'never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like'.
Caterham became Britain's oldest person in 2022 and now becomes the first known person in British history to reach 116 years old.
The title of the oldest person ever is held by a French woman, Jeanne Calment, who lived to 122 years and 164 days, according to Guinness World Records.
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