Longevity Secrets and Life Lessons From People Over 100 Years Old

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 03/26/2025 in ftw

What's the secret to long life?

It's the priceless question that everyone wants answered, and billions spent in predatory marketing have tried to sell the key.

So why not just ask the people who've had one?

Here are 10 longevity secrets from people who can call themselves centenarians.

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1. Felix Joseph Pelosi, 102
Dan Pelosi

Eating three square meals a day. “Lots of fish, pasta, vegetables and sweets.”
2. Ruth Onley, 110
Dawn Onley

Cooking and enjoying food, and family. “It’s the way my children take care of me.”
3. Dr. Gladys McGarey, 102
Gladys McGarey

Always having purpose and something to live for. “You don’t find that if you’re not looking for it.”
4. Miriam Todd, 100
Christy Todd-Hoffman

Don’t retire, if you enjoy it. “It’s not for everybody, but it works well for me.”
5. Ruth Sweedler, 103
Ester Bloom

“Keep your body in good shape and your mind in good shape.” That involves staying active by walking and building relationships.
6. Pearl Taylor, 103
Kendra Bryant for TODAY

“Love. I really love myself.” And eating a papaya every morning.
7. Deborah Szekely, 102
Rancho La Puerta

Having no regrets, and staying employed. “When nature says, ‘You got to stop, Deborah,’ Deborah will stop. Until then, she’ll keep going.”
8. Dorothy Staten, 106
Belinda Martinez

Living alone, and eating in a healthy manner. “Everybody needs their own place.”
9. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 105
@SisterSchmidt

The famous Loyola University Basketball chaplain prioritizes being happy. “I still go to bed every night with a smile on my face.”
10. Marjorie Fiterman, 102
Sarah Sicherman

Love. Fiterman got married to a 100-year-old man.

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Longevity Secrets and Life Lessons From People Over 100 Years Old

1. Felix Joseph Pelosi, 102
Eating three square meals a day. “Lots of fish, pasta, vegetables and sweets.”

2. Ruth Onley, 110
Cooking and enjoying food, and family. “It’s the way my children take care of me.”

3. Dr. Gladys McGarey, 102
Always having purpose and something to live for. “You don’t find that if you’re not looking for it.”

4. Miriam Todd, 100
Don’t retire, if you enjoy it. “It’s not for everybody, but it works well for me.”

5. Ruth Sweedler, 103
“Keep your body in good shape and your mind in good shape.” That involves staying active by walking and building relationships.

6. Pearl Taylor, 103
“Love. I really love myself.” And eating a papaya every morning.

7. Deborah Szekely, 102
Having no regrets, and staying employed. “When nature says, ‘You got to stop, Deborah,’ Deborah will stop. Until then, she’ll keep going.”

8. Dorothy Staten, 106
Living alone, and eating in a healthy manner. “Everybody needs their own place.”

9. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 105
The famous Loyola University Basketball chaplain prioritizes being happy. “I still go to bed every night with a smile on my face.”

10. Marjorie Fiterman, 102
Love. Fiterman got married to a 100-year-old man.

1. Felix Joseph Pelosi, 102

2. Ruth Onley, 110

3. Dr. Gladys McGarey, 102

4. Miriam Todd, 100

5. Ruth Sweedler, 103

6. Pearl Taylor, 103

7. Deborah Szekely, 102

8. Dorothy Staten, 106

9. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 105

10. Marjorie Fiterman, 102

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1. Felix Joseph Pelosi, 102 Eating three square meals a day. “Lots of fish, pasta, vegetables and sweets.”

2. Ruth Onley, 110 Cooking and enjoying food, and family. “It’s the way my children take care of me.”

3. Dr. Gladys McGarey, 102 Always having purpose and something to live for. “You don’t find that if you’re not looking for it.”

4. Miriam Todd, 100 Don’t retire, if you enjoy it. “It’s not for everybody, but it works well for me.”

5. Ruth Sweedler, 103 “Keep your body in good shape and your mind in good shape.” That involves staying active by walking and building relationships.

6. Pearl Taylor, 103 “Love. I really love myself.” And eating a papaya every morning.

7. Deborah Szekely, 102 Having no regrets, and staying employed. “When nature says, ‘You got to stop, Deborah,’ Deborah will stop. Until then, she’ll keep going.”

8. Dorothy Staten, 106 Living alone, and eating in a healthy manner. “Everybody needs their own place.”

9. Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, 105 The famous Loyola University Basketball chaplain prioritizes being happy. “I still go to bed every night with a smile on my face.”

10. Marjorie Fiterman, 102 Love. Fiterman got married to a 100-year-old man.