Want to live to 100? These centenarians swear by staying active, avoiding marriage and indulging in a beer

Ageing is inevitable, and at some point, even the most expensive wrinkle cream will not stop the laughter lines from setting in. 

So what is the real secret to growing old while still enjoying life? Two women who have both crossed the century mark say it’s not about strict rules or chasing the latest superfood but about balance, curiosity, and sometimes a glass of Guinness beer.

Take Mary Coroneos, for instance; she turned 100 in June. Coroneous told “Business Insider” that her life has always been full of activity. 

Many assume that reaching 100 means slowing down and taking life easy. That is not the case for Coroneos as she still lifts weights, reads the newspaper, cracks jokes, and occasionally flirts.

According to the publication, she was born in a coal mining town in Pennsylvania, and she grew up hiking, exploring and competing in sports like basketball and volleyball.

That energy carried into adulthood, where she built a long career in education and kept working well into her nineties.

She still trains with light weights, resistance bands, and occasionally pushes sleds at the gym. After breaking her arm, she was back within three weeks. “If I don’t fall, I’m good,” she joked.

Her meals are not at all complicated; she enjoys eggs and tea for breakfast, soup for lunch, whatever her daughter Athena cooks for dinner, and the occasional ice cream or root beer float. 

She avoids alcohol, eats in moderation, and credits her energy to staying active and curious.

Kathleen’s story: Guinness and no husband, thank you very much

Meanwhile, in the UK, Kathleen Hennings celebrated her 105th birthday in 2024. Speaking to “The Mirror”, she said her longevity comes down to two things, and that’s drinking Guinness beer as well as never marrying.

Born in Brixton in 1919, Henning worked as an accountant in London and spent her free time dancing at Covent Garden and attending operas and ballets.

For her, the formula is pretty simple. It’s all about enjoying the little things you love, living without the stress of a spouse, and finding joy in your own company.

“Don’t marry!” she advised. 

Between Coroneos’ daily workouts and Hennings’ love for Guinness, their stories show that living a long life doesn’t come with a single rulebook. 

Sometimes it’s light weights, sometimes it’s a root beer float, and sometimes it’s a night at the ballet; whatever makes your soul sing will surely keep you feeling alive.