12 Celebrities Who Reached 100 Years and Shared Their Secrets to Longevity

12 Celebrities Who Reached 100 Years and Shared Their Secrets to Longevity

Living to 100 is remarkable, but these celebrities didn’t just reach this milestone—they thrived well into their second century. From Hollywood legends to political figures, these centenarians discovered personal formulas for extraordinary longevity. Their wisdom offers us valuable insights into living longer, healthier lives, combining practical habits with mindset shifts that might help us all enjoy more birthdays.

1. Norman Lear

The legendary TV producer who gave us groundbreaking shows like “All in the Family” found his fountain of youth in his writing room. Norman Lear, who passed away at 101 in 2023, never truly retired, continuing to develop shows into his centennial year.

His philosophy was refreshingly simple: love what you do so much that it never feels like work. Colleagues marveled at his mental sharpness and creative energy decades after most people retire.

Lear often said that staying engaged with current events and social issues kept his mind active and his spirit young, proving that purpose-driven work creates not just meaning but additional years.

2. Jimmy Carter

America’s oldest living president attributed his century of life to his 77-year marriage with Rosalynn. Their partnership wasn’t just romantic—it was purposeful, as they tackled humanitarian projects together long after leaving the White House.

Carter’s daily habits included woodworking in his shop, writing books (he published over 30), and maintaining a modest lifestyle in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. Friends noted his regular swimming routine and plant-based diet.

Even after surviving cancer and health setbacks in his 90s, Carter continued teaching Sunday school classes, demonstrating how spiritual practice and community connection contribute to remarkable longevity.

3. Bob Hope

Bob Hope’s signature song, “Thanks for the Memories,” wasn’t just a tune—it became his life philosophy. The beloved entertainer who lived exactly 100 years credited his daily two-mile walks as non-negotiable, whether performing for troops overseas or at home in Palm Springs.

Hope’s disciplined approach extended to his diet—moderate portions, never overeating. His daughter noted he rarely drank alcohol but never refused a good laugh.

Perhaps most remarkable was his work ethic: performing well into his 90s for military tours demonstrated his belief that bringing joy to others created personal vitality. His commitment to movement proves you don’t need intense workouts—just daily consistency.

4. Dolores Hope

Outliving her famous husband Bob by eight years, Dolores Hope reached 102 with a philosophy centered on finding humor in life’s challenges. As a singer who performed with Bing Crosby, she maintained her musical interests throughout her life.

Family members revealed her secret weapon against aging: refusing to dwell on problems. When facing difficulties, Dolores would say, “This too shall pass,” then find something to laugh about.

Her Catholic faith provided another cornerstone of her longevity, attending mass regularly until her final years. Her philanthropic work with children’s hospitals kept her connected to younger generations, which gerontologists recognize as vital for extending lifespan.

5. Olivia de Havilland

The two-time Oscar winner who enchanted audiences as Melanie in “Gone With the Wind” lived to 104 in her adopted home of Paris. Her daily crossword puzzle ritual wasn’t just entertainment—it was deliberate brain maintenance.

De Havilland embraced what she called the “three L’s”—love, laughter, and light—forming deep friendships with fellow actors while avoiding industry drama. Her daughter revealed she maintained a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil and fresh vegetables.

Perhaps most inspiring was her willingness to take on Hollywood’s restrictive studio system in court—and win—showing how standing up for oneself creates not just freedom but also remarkable resilience that can extend life by decades.

6. Kirk Douglas

Hollywood’s toughest leading man conquered a devastating stroke at 80 only to live another 23 years through what his son Michael called “pure stubbornness.” The Spartacus star maintained his exercise routine even after the stroke limited his mobility.

Douglas credited his sense of humor as his primary longevity tool. When asked about reaching 100, he quipped, “I never, ever thought I would live to be 100. That’s shocked me, really. And it’s sad, too.”

His marriage to Anne Buydens lasted 65 years, providing stable emotional support. Their philanthropic work funding playgrounds gave Douglas purpose in his later decades—further evidence that giving back creates more time to give.

7. Gloria Stuart

Before captivating audiences as the elderly Rose in “Titanic” at age 87, Gloria Stuart had already reinvented herself multiple times. The actress who reached 100 in 2010 took up fine art printing in her 80s, creating handmade books now displayed in museums.

Stuart’s approach to aging was revolutionary: she refused to hide her years. “When I turned 100, I thought I’d feel different, but I still feel like Gloria,” she told reporters at her centennial celebration.

Her diet secret was surprisingly simple—eating whatever she wanted but in small portions. Friends noted her insatiable curiosity about new technologies and art forms, demonstrating how intellectual flexibility might be the real fountain of youth.

8. The Queen Mother

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon—mother of Queen Elizabeth II—defied conventional health wisdom by enjoying daily gin and Dubonnet cocktails well into her second century. Her approach to longevity rejected strict limitations in favor of pleasure and balance.

Royal staff revealed her diet included rich foods like butter and cream, contradicting modern health advice. Yet she maintained regular countryside walks at her beloved Royal Lodge and Balmoral estate.

Perhaps her most valuable lesson was psychological: after surviving the London Blitz during WWII, she developed remarkable resilience. “Never complain, never explain” became her mantra, suggesting emotional regulation might contribute more to longevity than restrictive diets or extreme exercise regimens.

9. George Burns

With cigar in hand and perfect comedic timing, George Burns performed stand-up comedy until just weeks before his 100th birthday. His philosophy was disarmingly simple: “If you live to be one hundred, you’ve got it made. Very few people die past that age.”

Burns maintained his vaudeville-era work ethic throughout life, believing that retirement accelerated aging. His daily routine included reading multiple newspapers and walking his neighborhood in Beverly Hills.

Friends noted his remarkable ability to nap anywhere for 10 minutes and wake completely refreshed—an early adopter of what we now call “power napping.” His genuine enjoyment of martinis and cigars suggests that perhaps pleasure itself contributes more to longevity than we realize.

10. Eva Marie Saint

The Oscar-winning actress from “On the Waterfront” who recently celebrated her 101st birthday maintains a refreshingly down-to-earth approach to longevity. While Hollywood contemporaries pursued fad diets and plastic surgery, Saint focused on simple pleasures like baseball games and family dinners.

Her home in Santa Monica provides daily opportunities for ocean walks, which she still enjoys regularly. Friends marvel at her memory—she can recall detailed stories from films made 70 years ago.

Saint’s pragmatic wisdom includes avoiding stress about aging itself: “Worrying about getting older just makes you older faster,” she told an interviewer on her centennial. Her continued attendance at film festivals demonstrates how cultural engagement preserves cognitive function.

11. Ellen Albertini Dow

Most people remember her as the rapping grandmother from “The Wedding Singer,” but few realize Ellen Albertini Dow didn’t begin her film career until age 71. The dance teacher who lived to 101 proved that late-life reinvention might actually extend lifespan.

Dow’s daily routine included stretching exercises from her dance background and memorizing new scripts to keep her mind sharp. Her husband noted she never turned down a role, no matter how small.

Perhaps most inspiring was her fearlessness about trying new things—learning rap lyrics for her famous scene when most people her age avoided unfamiliar music entirely. Her willingness to embrace contemporary culture rather than living in nostalgia may have contributed significantly to her remarkable longevity.

12. Glynis Johns

The British actress who delighted generations as Mrs. Banks in “Mary Poppins” maintained her vibrant spirit until her passing at 100 in 2024. Johns attributed her century of life to balancing discipline with joy—never missing daily vocal exercises even decades after her last musical performance.

Friends noted her meticulous attention to posture, which she maintained from her ballet training. “Good posture gives you more oxygen and makes everything work better,” she often advised younger actors.

Unlike many celebrities who chased eternal youth through surgeries, Johns embraced her changing appearance with characteristic British pragmatism. Her approach to aging focused on maintaining abilities rather than appearances—a philosophy increasingly supported by longevity research.