What a 112-year-old Georgia woman credits for her long life
If anyone has earned the right to share life advice, it might be someone who has been around for 112 years. Mabel Dunbar, a Georgia woman who recently celebrated her 112th birthday, is not crediting an expensive wellness routine, a trendy superfood, or a complicated longevity hack for her remarkable lifespan. Her secret is faith, family and love.
That's a lot cheaper than any celebrity's supplement cabinet, so read on.
Her philosophy is beautifully simple
Dunbar, who lives in Fayetteville, Georgia, was born in Jamaica in 1914. She recently celebrated her 112th birthday surrounded by loved ones, complete with a custom berry cake, flowers, and a crown.
When asked about the philosophy behind her long life, Dunbar put it simply: “God is love and I love my families. I love all my families and strangers.”
Her family describes her as deeply religious, pleasant and talkative.
Family has always been a big part of her life
Dunbar is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and her loved ones remain central to her daily life. She moved to Florida to live with her daughter in 1994 before relocating to Georgia in 2025 to live with her granddaughter and grandson-in-law.
She has some advice for younger generations about the people closest to them: treat your family well. As she sees it, those relationships become especially important when you need help later in life.
She also stayed active
Faith and family weren't the only constants in Dunbar's life. She also spent years serving others and staying active. Until recently, she was still cooking and making breakfast for herself every morning.
That matters because many longevity experts point to physical activity, mental stimulation and strong social connections as important ingredients for healthy aging. Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania, has previously recommended maintaining an active social life, continuing to learn new things, getting enough sleep, exercising moderately and limiting heavily processed foods.
Can faith help one live longer?
Interestingly, research has also explored a potential connection between religious involvement and longevity. A 2016 study involving more than 74,000 women found that regular religious service attendance was associated with a lower risk of death during the study's follow-up period.
That does not necessarily mean attending a religious service magically extends your lifespan. Researchers have noted that regular participation can also come with things that are themselves linked to better health, including stronger social support and lower rates of certain unhealthy behaviors.
There may be no single secret to living past 100
Of course, there is no guaranteed formula for reaching your 112th birthday. Genetics, healthcare, lifestyle, environment and plenty of plain old luck all play a role in how long we live.
But Dunbar's story does offer a wholesome alternative to the internet's endless quest for the next anti-aging hack. Maybe longevity isn't hiding inside an overpriced powder, a freezing cold plunge or a $900 wellness gadget. Maybe part of the answer is to love people, stay connected, and keep moving. And, if you're lucky, celebrate another birthday with the people who helped you get there.
Source: Fox News
