A British woman recognized as the oldest living person celebrated her 116th birthday (4 photos)
The world's oldest woman has celebrated her 116th birthday at a nursing home in Surrey, UK. Ethel Caterham took over the record after Brazilian nun Ina Canabarro died in April. She was born on August 21, 1909, making her the last living subject of King Edward VII. 
King Charles III, Edward VII's great-great-grandson, sent Caterham a birthday card last year.
Ethel, the second eldest of eight children, was born three years before the Titanic sank. Her sister Gladys Babilas also lived a long life. She was born in 1897 and died at the age of 104.
A statement released by the nursing home said: "Ethel and her family are deeply touched by all the kind words and attention she has received this year on her 116th birthday. Ethel will spend the day with her family. Thank you again for your well wishes on her special day." 
Caterham was born in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire. During her long life, she saw two world wars, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the first moon landing, the fall of the Berlin Wall and six monarchs on the British throne.
She was 18 when she set off on a solo voyage by boat. She sailed for three weeks to become an au pair for a military family in India.
Three years later, in 1931, she returned to Britain, where she met her future husband, Norman Caterham, at a dinner party. They married at Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire in 1933.
Norman was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army. The couple initially lived in Harnham, near Salisbury. They were later posted to Hong Kong and Gibraltar.
Mrs Caterham opened a nursery school in Hong Kong where children learned English, did crafts and played. After Gibraltar, the couple returned to the UK to raise their two daughters.
They later moved to Surrey, where Caterham lived for over 50 years. Her husband died in 1976, and their two daughters, Jem and Anne, also passed away. 
Her three granddaughters, Kate Henderson, Julia Pauling and Lucy Robinson, regularly visit her in the care home.
Speaking to BBC radio in 2020, when she was surviving Covid, the Briton said: “I took life as it came, with all the ups and downs. I’ve travelled all over the world and found this wonderful home where everyone is doing their best for me, giving me everything I want.” 
Ina Canabarro
Before Ethel, the title of the oldest person in the world belonged to Ina Canabarro. She became a nun in 1934 at the age of 26, between the First and Second World Wars. The Brazilian believed that longevity was a gift from God. She said: “God is the secret of life. He is the key to everything.”
However, the oldest person in history is considered to be Jeanne Louise Calment. The Frenchwoman was born in 1875 and lived a total of 122 years and 164 days.
