11 Surprising Secrets to Longevity From the World's Oldest People

The average American lifespan is 76-years-old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but many are living into the triple digits. In 2021, there were 89,739 centenarians living in the United States, which is almost double as there was 20 years ago, data from the Population Division of the United Nations shows. So what's the secret to longevity? Read on to learn the tips centenarians think has helped them live a long and prosperous life.

Ada Daniel, who resides at Codnor Park Care Home in Derbyshire, United Kingdom just turned 108. She was celebrated with well wishes from King Charles and Queen Camilla, as well as a surprise tea party. The care home activity coordinator Kelly Goucher spoke to the BBC and said Daniel believes she's lived so long because she loves dogs. "She had a lot of greyhounds. She lived on Street Lane in Ripley and all of her greyhounds were also called Street Lane."

Another thing Daniel attributes her longevity to is no kids. She chose not to have children and believes that's why she's 108. "She's definitely a character," Goucher told the outlet. "I did ask her what her secret was once and she said it was to have dogs, not kids." 

Lucia DeClerck died at the age of 107 in New Jersey, and shared her tips on living longer to the New York Times when she was 105. "Prayer. Prayer. Prayer," she said. But that's not all. She shared that she didn't eat "junk food," but she did an interesting morning ritual–nine gin-soaked golden raisins that she ate daily. "Fill a jar," she explained. "Nine raisins a day after it sits for nine days."

Sister André, who lived near the French city of Toulon, was the world's oldest known person. She died at the age of 118 and 340 days. She was less than a month away from her 119th birthday. Before her passing, her nursing home, Résidence Catherine Labouré, confirmed to CNN she enjoyed a glass of red wine a day and chocolate. 

We all know sleeping is vital for our well-being, and Kermit Hongo took napping seriously.  She died at the age of 116 in 2003, and was known for her ability to sleep for two days straight and staying up for two days straight. "We even feed her in her sleep," her grandson said.

In 2015, Scotland's oldest woman Jessie Gallan died at the age of 109. The Daily Mail reports her key longevity was being single. "My secret to a long life has been staying away from men. They're just more trouble than they're worth," Gallan reportedly said. "I also made sure that I got plenty of exercise, eat a nice warm bowl of porridge every morning, and have never gotten married."

British-born ballet phenomenon Henry Danton died at the age of 102, but he was still dancing away at 100-years-old. "I see people who retire and they become so bored, they don't know what to do with themselves," Danton told TODAY. "That's when their health starts to go down."

Staying active is vital for good health and one way Danton kept busy was teaching ballet to kids, which he still did at 100. "I love teaching," he told TODAY "I don't want to stop. Children are my vitamin."

Danton was full of helpful tips on living longer. He also believed his meatless diet was a factor in his well-being. For 50 years he practiced vegetarianism after getting diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, the same illness that took his brother's life. "I came as close to dying as I think anyone can," Danton recalled. "I got well by holistic means … I was very lucky." When he was 49, he stopped eating fish and poultry and ate nuts, seeds, organic vegetables, lots of carrot juice and dairy. 

Edward Toms, 102, a former British army colonel, diplomat and writer in Kent, England believes the secret to living long is falling in love. He told The Guardian, "Mutually fall in love with your partner and stay in that relationship until death do you part. Experience fulfilling, natural, lasting sexual enjoyment. Never be bored, because so many pleasures are available to you. Enjoy the sharing of these pleasures when appropriate, but also solitude from time to time."

Staying mentally active is just as important as keeping physically fit as we age. Fernando Cavia Escudero, 101, who was a winemaker in Madrid, Spain shared how reading helped him live long. "I still read every day," he recently told the Guardian. "When you read, you learn new things that awaken your curiosity or instinct. And you have to move so you don't get lazy like a fool. You should also be patient and not stressed. Be humble."