The Woman Who Reached 122: Her Surprising Habits and Remarkable Longevity

The woman who reached 122: her surprising habits and remarkable longevity

The woman almost certainly being referred to is Jeanne Calment , who lived to 122 years and 164 days. She was born in Arles, France, in 1875 and died there in 1997. Her age remains the oldest fully authenticated human lifespan on record.

What were her habits?

Some of Calment’s reported habits are surprising:

• She enjoyed olive oil. She reportedly used olive oil in cooking and on her skin.
• She ate a Mediterranean-style diet. Her diet included fruits and vegetables, and she was particularly fond of olive oil.
• She enjoyed chocolate. Reports say she ate chocolate regularly, sometimes in relatively large quantities.
• She drank wine. She reportedly had a small amount of port wine regularly.
• She remained active. Calment rode a bicycle and reportedly continued cycling into her 100s.
• She valued leisure and social activity. She enjoyed activities such as tennis, swimming and going to the opera.
• She had a relaxed attitude. She famously attributed her longevity partly to keeping calm and avoiding excessive worry.
• She lived independently for an unusually long time. She moved into a nursing home at 110, rather than spending most of her later life in institutional care.

But did these habits make her live to 122?

We can’t conclude that.

Calment’s remarkable age was probably the result of a complicated combination of genetics, environment, socioeconomic circumstances, lifestyle and chance. A single food such as olive oil or chocolate cannot explain an exceptionally long lifespan.

Her story also illustrates why longevity anecdotes should be treated cautiously. Someone can live to an extraordinary age despite habits that would not necessarily be recommended for everyone.

What can we actually learn from exceptional longevity?

Rather than copying one person’s unusual habits, focus on factors consistently associated with healthier aging:

1. Don’t smoke.
2. Stay physically active, including strength and balance exercises as you get older.
3. Eat a varied, nutrient-rich diet, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts and appropriate sources of protein.
4. Keep blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar under control.
5. Maintain social connections and meaningful activities.
6. Get adequate sleep.
7. Maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass.
8. Keep up with preventive medical and dental care.

At 83, the goal doesn’t have to be reaching 122. A much more useful goal is maintaining strength, mobility, independence and quality of life for as long as possible.

And one caution about the famous longevity story: Calment’s reported habits should not be interpreted as medical prescriptions. In particular, alcohol isn’t necessary for healthy aging, and nobody should start drinking because a centenarian reportedly did so.