7 Famous People Who Lived To Reach 100
Here, we look at some legends of longevity—and their quips on aging and living well beyond “expectancy.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lifestyle modifications—enjoying a healthy diet, keeping up with physical activities and saying no to tobacco—could prevent “at least 80 per cent of premature heart disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes and 40 per cent of cancer.”
RELATED: 12 Ways To Live To 100 (And Thrive While Doing So)
Although the possibility of living to 100 is a lot more plausible these days than it used to be, it’s still a significant milestone that calls for celebration.
So here are the legends of longevity—and their quips on aging.
Olivia de Havilland
Born: July 1, 1916 in Tokyo, Japan
Age: 101
On aging
“I would prefer to live forever in perfect health, but if I must at some time leave this life, I would like to do so ensconced on a chaise longue, perfumed, wearing a velvet robe and pearl earrings, with a flute of champagne beside me and having just discovered the answer to the last problem in a British cryptic crossword.”
Next: Gloria Stuart
Gloria Stuart
Born: July 4, 1910 in Santa Monica, California
Died: September 26, 2010
Age: 100
On her Oscar nomination for Titanic (1997)
“When I graduated from Santa Monica High in 1927, I was voted the girl most likely to succeed. I didn’t realize it would take so long.”
Next: Bob Hope
Bob Hope
Born: May 29, 1903 in London, England
Died: July 27, 2003
Age: 100
On aging
“I don’t feel old. In fact, I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.”
Next: George Burns
George Burns
Born: January 20, 1896 in New York
Died: March 9, 1996
Age: 100
On aging
“As long as you’re working, you stay young. When I’m in front of an audience, all that love and vitality sweeps over me and I forget my age.”
Next: Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother
Born: August 4, 1900 in London, England
Died: March 30, 2002
Age: 101
On living life to the fullest
“Wouldn’t it be terrible if you’d spent all your life doing everything you were supposed to do, didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, didn’t eat things, took lots of exercise, and suddenly, one day, you were run over by a big red bus and, as the wheels were crunching into you, you’d say, ‘Oh my God, I could have got so drunk last night.’ That’s the way you should live your life, as if tomorrow you’ll be run over by a big red bus.”
Next: Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Born: May 11, 1888 in Tyumen, Russia
Died: September 22, 1989
Age: 101
On life
“Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.”
Next: Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas
Born: December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York
Age: 100
On aging
“Age is in the mind. I’ve survived a helicopter crash and back surgery. I have a pacemaker. I had a stroke that almost made me commit suicide. But I tell myself, I have to continue growing and functioning. That’s the only antidote for age.”