MomSkoop
Living to 100 is rare, but some of the biggest stars made it look easy. These legends didn’t just survive—they thrived with energy, creativity, and purpose well into their second century. Their secrets weren’t complicated pills or fancy treatments, but simple habits anyone can try: laughter, curiosity, staying active, and never giving up on what they loved.
1. Norman Lear (101)
The genius behind All in the Family never stopped creating. Norman Lear kept writing scripts and meeting new people right up until his final days. He said the secret was simple: love what you do, laugh as much as possible, and stay curious about everything.
Lear believed boredom was the real enemy of aging. He surrounded himself with friends, family, and projects that excited him. His brain stayed sharp because he never let it rest.
Even at 101, he was still pitching ideas and making people think. That kind of passion doesn’t fade with age—it fuels it.
2. Olivia de Havilland (104)
Winning two Oscars is impressive, but living to 104 with grace? That’s legendary. Olivia de Havilland lived by a Mediterranean diet filled with fresh vegetables, olive oil, and fish. She avoided drama and stress like they were poison.
Independence mattered deeply to her. She valued her privacy and spent her later years in Paris, far from Hollywood’s chaos. Calm confidence guided every decision she made.
She didn’t chase youth—she embraced wisdom. Her secret was balance: good food, peaceful surroundings, and a life lived on her own terms without apology.
3. Gloria Stuart (100)
Most people knew her as the older Rose in Titanic, but Gloria Stuart was so much more. She was a talented painter and sculptor who never stopped creating beauty. Art kept her heart young and her mind engaged every single day.
Stuart believed that making something beautiful was the best medicine. Whether painting a canvas or arranging flowers, she found joy in creativity. Social connections mattered too—she loved being around people.
Her philosophy was refreshing: don’t just exist, create. That artistic spark kept her vibrant and alive until the very end of her remarkable life.
4. Bob Hope (100)
Laughter wasn’t just Bob Hope’s career—it was his medicine. The legendary comedian walked every single day, no matter what. He stayed busy entertaining troops, playing golf, and making people smile wherever he went.
Hope’s formula was beautifully simple: move your body, laugh often, and be grateful for what you have. He never took life too seriously, even when times got tough. Humor helped him bounce back from anything.
5. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (101)
Duty and joy went hand-in-hand for the Queen Mother. She loved her routines: afternoon tea, horse racing, and spending time with family and friends. Social events energized her rather than draining her, even in her 90s and beyond.
Optimism was her superpower. Through wars, scandals, and massive change, she kept smiling and moving forward. Her sense of humor helped her handle stress with remarkable grace and strength.
She never rushed or worried excessively. Instead, she found comfort in tradition and stability, proving that consistency and positivity can carry you through an entire century.
6. Kirk Douglas (103)
After a stroke at 80, many thought Kirk Douglas was done. But the Spartacus star had other plans. He exercised daily, wrote books, and practiced gratitude like it was a religion. His secret? Never losing passion for life itself.
Douglas read constantly and stayed mentally active. He didn’t let physical setbacks define him or slow him down. Instead, he focused on what he could still do and celebrated every small victory.
His attitude was infectious. At 103, he proved that determination and a grateful heart can overcome almost anything life throws your way.
7. Norman Lloyd (106)
Working for nearly a century sounds exhausting, but Norman Lloyd loved every minute. The actor, producer, and director never retired because he believed work kept him alive. His secret weapon? Surrounding himself with younger, energetic people who challenged his thinking.
Lloyd stayed sharp by constantly learning and adapting. He worked on projects that excited him and never stopped asking questions. Retirement, to him, meant mental death—so he simply refused.
8. Marsha Hunt (104)
Kindness was Marsha Hunt’s secret weapon. The classic Hollywood actress and humanitarian lived with compassion, curiosity, and a sense of purpose that never faded. She said treating people well made her feel young inside, no matter her age.
Hunt stayed involved in causes she cared about throughout her life. She read, learned, and stayed curious about the world around her. Helping others gave her energy and meaning.
9. Irving Berlin (101)
Music kept Irving Berlin alive. The legendary songwriter behind White Christmas composed songs well into old age. His secret was discipline—he kept a steady daily rhythm and never stopped creating melodies that moved people’s hearts.
Berlin believed mental activity was essential. Writing music challenged his brain and gave him purpose every single day. He didn’t slow down just because birthdays kept coming.
His life was proof that doing what you love isn’t just fulfilling—it’s life-extending. At 101, his music still played everywhere, a testament to timeless creativity and dedication.
10. Ellen Albertini Dow (101)
Remember the rapping grandma from The Wedding Singer? That was Ellen Albertini Dow, and she lived to 101 by never taking life too seriously. Laughter, music, and embracing fun were her secrets to a long, joyful life.
Dow kept a playful spirit all her life. She wasn’t afraid to look silly or try new things, even in her 90s. That sense of humor protected her from stress and sadness.
Her message was clear: don’t grow up too much. Keep laughing, keep dancing, and keep finding reasons to smile every single day.
11. Luise Rainer (104)
Luise Rainer made history as the first actress to win back-to-back Oscars, but fame didn’t define her. She left Hollywood behind and focused on simplicity, art, and living authentically. Her secret was avoiding excess and finding inner peace instead.
Rainer valued quiet reflection over constant attention. She lived modestly and stayed true to herself, even when the world wanted more. That authenticity gave her strength and contentment.