Okay, what is the secret to Betty White’s longevity? She turned 98 today and is celebrating at home with friends and family.

Doris Day lived to be 97 and was an animal welfare activist too. So, yeah...caring about a cause adds meaning to our lives. Makes me realize just how connected we are to the animal kingdom. There is a strong bond between humans and animals.

I think people who connect deeply to animals are very special people. I don’t relate as well to people who don’t like animals. I hate if an animal is mistreated by people. My daughter had an ex boyfriend who started abusing her dog. She broke up with him.

Freqflyer,

Absolutely. I think that is a major part of Betty’s well being. She loved her work! Her devotion to animals too. She had a paid job and meaningful volunteer work with specific causes.

One secret is to keep on working, and that is what Betty did.

While shaking my family tree, I noticed those who were farmers and kept farming lived into their 80's and 90's. Same with those who after retirement didn't sit around but found either part-time jobs or did a lot of volunteer work. And when you think about it, that generation grew up on organic food.

My parents lived to be 97 and 98, and after Dad was forced to retire at 65 [back then that was the norm], he and Mom started doing volunteer work up into their early 90's. It made a world of difference for them to enjoy something they liked, and to feel needed. They would treat themselves on Friday to a meal at Roy Rogers or at Wendy's :)

My boss just turned 85, and he is still doing real estate after 50 years, and I manage the office at the young age of 73. Weather permitting, the boss plays golf once a week. Twice a week he calls one of his buddies to go have lunch. And he take numerous vacations during the year. I joked that we will know it is time to close shop when we both need to take Uber to work :P

Genetics and a lifestyle that greatly reduces free radicals.

recent discoveries in genetics and the human genome set has learned that at the beginning of every chromosome is a lot of junk code. It does nothing. Encodes for nothing. You inherit this.

but, each time a cell divides to be replaced, RNA (which acts as the reader) unzips the chromosome and begins the replication process...but it is like a malfunctioning copy machine, as it clips off a bit of that junk from the front. Do that enough and eventually RNA is clipping off needed coding because the junk is expended.

people who are really long lived start out with much longer chains of junk on the front end of their chromosomes, but..also do not do things which damage cells (causing the need for more replication) and do things that fight off free radicals (which cause the need for more replication).

finally....there is scientific proof that eating less extends life. Loads of studies prove this.

I recently read something about healthy aging that seemed like an important point to me.

It was this- in the “Blue Zones”, where healthy and productive aging seems the norm rather than the exception, most healthy, productive older adults say that they have a reason for getting up in the morning!

I LOVE the simplicity of that statement, and I’ve observed in my own life that now, because I have my music firmly returned to my life, I typically wake up planning when in the day I’ll plan to practice. Doing that shapes the way the rest of my day’s plan will fit into place.

My “reason” is especially important to me because of the amount of time I spend in caregiving. Even when it seems impossible, can you find your reason?

What about the Queen? Hahaha

I know part of the reason she is living so long is she was determined to reign longer than Victoria!

John McCain’s mom is the energizer bunny! Hahaha, she is 107! I can’t imagine living that long.

I would love to see Betty White live to be 100!

My husband’s great grandma lived to be just shy of 102!

I like everything she’s done. She played a great vamp with Mary Tyler Moore!

She is adorable.

Her secret is that she just keeps breathing :)

Loved her on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, etc.; her devotion to animal welfare and in general a witty, smart & funny lady. And.. I agree with Alva; great genes and money!

Wow! That women just keeps going...that is amazing!

She always said that she will live to be a 100. George Burns said the same thing and he lived to be 100.(If I remember correctly)!


Happy Birthday Betty White 🎂🎈🎉🎁🍷

Laughter!!! That is the secret. :-)

Money doesn't hurt, either, Alva.

Happy Birthday Betty White!! I just got done watching Hot in Cleveland on myget tv channel. She is so funny on that show!! I love her facial expressions and in this episode they had her sitting next to some hot guy who was flirting with her. It was so funny!!!

Great genes and lots of money.

Science says you inherit the genes for how you will age. This is separate from living in such as way as to affect that outcome, like drug use, concussions, etc. You can have several siblings and some will inherit the gene and others will inherit the gene for early onset dementia, so don't bet on how it will go for you by how it went for your parents or siblings.

In my family I have the perfect proof of this. I have 2 very elderly aunts who are now living together in south FL. Same parents. Neither got married. Neither had kids. They lived together their entire lives (except 2 years). They worked in the same company for almost the exact same amount of years, one was a graphic designer, the other worked in HR. They ate the same food (Mediterranean diet), went on the same vacations, neither smoked or drank much. Neither was particularly athletic but they gardened, traveled, had hobbies and sewed/were crafty. One was a goofy extrovert, the other bookish and shy. One was tall and skinny, the other short and stocky. They lived low-stress lives. They cared for their mother (my grandmother) for 10 years and she lived to 96 (grandpa smoked unfiltered cigs so he died in his 70s of lung cancer). Side note: apparently the second-hand smoke did not affect grandma or any of the 8 children. Today the 100-yo has all her marbles and memory and takes care of the younger sister who is 97 with late-stage dementia. There were 8 siblings in all (my mom is the youngest at 90). They all lived into their 90s. The ones who got dementia (3) were in their mid-90s when it started. The others were taken by illnesses quickly because they literally never went to the doctor. No one took vitamins or supplements. My mom has a tiny bit of memory issues and sometimes gets confused, but she still manages her own home and dog with a little help from me.

IMO one can not really fend off dementia by much, just live as smartly and cleanly as you can to preserve what you do have. I do not think gym-style exercise or running will necessarily help (in fact I think you will wear out your parts sooner and require replacement surgeries which add to risks) Obesity has a whole host of risks and will work against you, genes or no genes (none of the siblings were obese). Nor do I think an organic diet will necessarily help, since my Italian-American family grew most of their own veggies, ate lots of dark leafy greens before it was fashionable, was moderate on red meats and desserts and processed or convenience foods -- and both my aunts ate the same things. Nor do I think a positive attitude or happiness helps, as my 100-yr old aunt was always a "nervous ninny" and worrier. But I think poor live style choices can definitely bring about cognitive issues earlier. Sorry, I don't think we have much control. That's why I believe thoughtful planning and not romanticizing our aging is really important.

Salut to Betty White! She is a lucky one (and she knows it!) Wishing her continued good health and many more birthdays!

She's a hoot! I enjoyed her as Catherine Piper on Boston Legal the most. What a wonderful woman.

Happy Birthday Betty!