Reaching the grand old age of 100 is a pretty epic achievement. Not only do you receive a birthday card from the Queen and get to liken yourself to a Roman gladiator, but younger generations queue up to learn your secret to long life.
As various research teams argue there no upper limit on how long humans can live for - which contradicts a recent high-profile paper that argued maximum longevity hit a ceiling of 115 - we’ve pulled together seven centurions tips on living longer.
From drinking lots of red wine (which we can stay on board with) to staying away from men (which is a little less appealing), here are their nuggets of wisdom.
While some have passed away since they were interviewed, all of those featured lived to beyond 100. Wow.
Charlie Matthews
Earlier this year, Charlie Matthews celebrated his 100th birthday and credited red wine as the secret to his longevity.
He said: “Red wine – plenty of it has helped me live to be 100.”
He said: “Red wine – plenty of it has helped me live to be 100.”
Misao Okawa
Misao Okawa was a Japanese supercentenarian who was the world's oldest living person from June 2013 until her death on 1 April 2015.
When she celebrated her 116th birthday on 5 March 2014, she shared her secret to living a long life.
“Eat and sleep and you will live a long time,” she told The Telegraph. “You have to learn to relax.”
When she celebrated her 116th birthday on 5 March 2014, she shared her secret to living a long life.
“Eat and sleep and you will live a long time,” she told The Telegraph. “You have to learn to relax.”
Sam Heggessey
Advertisement
Mbah Gotho
A centenarian who claims to be the 'world’s oldest man' has reportedly celebrated his 146th birthday.
According to his ID card, Mbah Gotho, from Indonesia, was born on 31 December 1870.
The great-grandfather said the key to long life is “patience”.
According to his ID card, Mbah Gotho, from Indonesia, was born on 31 December 1870.
The great-grandfather said the key to long life is “patience”.
Irene Crump and Phyllis Jones
The pair have spent a whole century together after being born 25 minutes apart on November 20 1916 - they even live together in Stourport, Worcester.
The duo put their milestone birthday, on November 2015, down to "hard work and good food".
The duo put their milestone birthday, on November 2015, down to "hard work and good food".
Jessie Gallan
Jessie Gallan turned 109 at the beginning of last year and revealed the secret to her long life was exercise, eating plenty of porridge and steering clear of men.
She said: “My secret to a long life has been staying away from men. They’re just more trouble than they’re worth. I also made sure that I got plenty of exercise, ate a nice warm bowl of porridge every morning and have never gotten married."
She said: “My secret to a long life has been staying away from men. They’re just more trouble than they’re worth. I also made sure that I got plenty of exercise, ate a nice warm bowl of porridge every morning and have never gotten married."
Advertisement