She’s 114 Years Old, and Her Secret to Longevity Will Blow Your Mind!

Naomi Whitehead, at the age of 114, stands as a living testament to resilience and longevity, currently the oldest person in the United States. Born on September 26, 1910, in Georgia, Whitehead has lived through some of history’s most transformative events. Her age surpasses inventions like the zipper and the tank, and she remains a vivid link to a different era. Whitehead assumed the title of the oldest American after Elizabeth Francis passed away last month at age 115.

Reflecting on her life, Whitehead’s advice for longevity is refreshingly simple. When asked about her remarkable age by New Castle News in 2023, she said, “I’ll live as long as the Lord lets me.” Her words capture her philosophy: a life built on faith and hard work.

Living past 100 is a rarity. As of January 2023, centenarians made up only 0.03% of the U.S. population, according to Pew Research Center data. Yet, with average lifespans increasing, more people are curious about how to extend their own lives. Biohackers, like Bryan Johnson, invest large sums in the pursuit of longevity, hoping to learn from supercentenarians like Whitehead.

A Simple Life Built on Hard Work

Whitehead attributes her long life to “working hard.” In her youth, she worked tirelessly on a farm, doing labor-intensive tasks like plowing fields and picking crops. She told YouTuber Jack Gordon that her biggest piece of advice is to “work hard.” This dedication to physical labor echoes the experiences of other centenarians, like 101-year-old William from Toronto, who credited his long life to a varied career and retiring only at age 85.

Research backs up Whitehead’s belief in staying active. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine in 2023 found that people who lead sedentary lives are more likely to face an early death than those who stay physically active.

Faith and Community

“She’s a Godly woman,” her grandson Dan Whitehead noted, adding, “She is truly blessed.” Whitehead’s religious beliefs have been a cornerstone of her life, a trait shared by many other supercentenarians. Faith can provide a sense of purpose and belonging—two factors linked to longer lifespans.

Research suggests that attending religious services may have tangible health benefits. A 2016 study of over 74,000 female nurses in the U.S. found that women who attended a religious service more than once a week were 33% less likely to die early than those who didn’t. Harvard researchers suggested that community support and a positive outlook may partly explain these findings.

Avoiding Alcohol and Cigarettes

One of Whitehead’s standout lifestyle choices is her decision to avoid both alcohol and tobacco. She has never smoked or consumed alcohol—a decision closely tied to her health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), no amount of alcohol is entirely safe, and even light drinking has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. A 2021 study from the European Journal of Public Health revealed that moderate drinking contributed to 13.3% of alcohol-related cancers in Europe in 2017.

Similarly, the risks of smoking are well-documented. The WHO reports that tobacco kills eight million people worldwide each year, with smokers, on average, living a decade less than non-smokers. By steering clear of these habits, Whitehead has likely protected herself from many age-related diseases.

Genetics and Family Support

Though she credits her lifestyle choices, Whitehead may also have benefitted from favorable genetics. Longevity can run in families, and having a supportive family may also contribute to her well-being. She frequently leans on her family, including her 12 grandchildren, for companionship and support, which has been shown to have positive effects on health and longevity.

At 114, Naomi Whitehead is an extraordinary example of the power of simplicity, faith, and healthy habits. While we may not all reach such an advanced age, her lifestyle offers inspiration for anyone looking to live a longer, healthier life. In her own words, she is simply “living as long as the Lord lets” her, with a legacy as rich as the years she’s lived.