Celebrities who will turn 100 in 2026

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In 2021, only 0.027% of the US population were people aged 100 or older, per New England Centennial Study at Boston University. In 2026, this very small percentage of people would have seen the addition of several stars like Cloris Leachman and Tony Bennett, had they not passed away. While these celebrities weren’t able to celebrate their 100th birthday, many of them lived long and fulfilling lives, thanks to the healthy and mental habits they’ve instilled over the years.

In a 2017 conversation with Palm Beach PostBennett admitted that although he was not naturally inclined to exercise at the age of 90, he hired a trainer who would push him to stay fit. In addition to playing tennis weekly, the jazz icon also followed a healthy diet and limited himself to one glass of wine every night. (Read about some Unexpected health benefits of drinking red wine.)

While Bennett follows Gen Habits that may make a person more likely to live longerLeachman takes a more light-hearted approach to the whole issue. talking to NBC News In 2011, the Emmy winner spoke about the minimalist mindset that has helped her achieve longevity, saying, “I don’t think I’m my age. I’m really six years old.” On a more serious note, she credited her diet with helping her stay fit as she got older. Considering what Leachman looked like in her 90s, she probably consumed a lot of food. Foods that actually make you look younger.

Leachman, Bennett, and other icons may not have lived to their 100th birthday, but there is still a lot we can learn from their lives and health issues.

Leslie Nielsen would have celebrated his 100th birthday on February 11. Although the popular comedian has remained mum about whether he has had any health issues over the years, he has been open about facing hearing loss. In a 2002 interview with Audiology online“The plane!” The star shared that he had hearing loss for some time and then started wearing hearing aids about 15 years ago.

Although he admitted that hearing aids made his job much easier, he also admitted that their quality was not nearly as good as natural hearing. Nielsen died at the age of 84 in 2010 from complications resulting from pneumonia.

Jerry Lewis’ 100th birthday would have been March 16. The famous comedian passed away at the age of 91 in 2017 after experiencing several health struggles over the years. In 1982, Lewis underwent double surgery to treat a blocked artery after arriving at the hospital with chest pains. He would have another heart attack in 2006.

Over the years, he was also diagnosed with prostate cancer, diabetes, and spinal meningitis. Despite all his health problems, Lewis continued to work until his eighties. He made his thoughts on aging quite clear in 2010 Los Angeles Times Interviewer saying: “Being old does not mean that you have lost your soul.”

On April 21, Queen Elizabeth II would have turned 100 years old. As the Queen grew older, she reportedly suffered from many health problems. according to timeThe king had been suffering from back pain for several years and even had knee surgery. Following the death of her husband, Prince Philip, in 2021, Elizabeth reportedly also began using a cane to help ease her mobility issues, according to Town & Country Magazine.

In 2013, Elizabeth had a short stay in hospital after developing symptoms of gastroenteritis. She died at the age of 96 in 2022 of “old age,” according to National Records of Scotland (via BBC).

Harper Lee would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 28. In the years before her death at age 89 in 2016, the “To Kill A Mockingbird” author endured several health struggles. eagle Reports indicate that Lee’s hearing, movement, memory and eyesight were seriously affected by the stroke she suffered in 2007.

After that, Lee had no choice but to sell her apartment and move into an assisted living facility. CNN It notes that the author was the focus of an elder abuse complaint in March 2015, which questioned whether she was conscientious enough to agree to publication of her 2015 novel Go Set a Watchman. However, no wrongdoing was found.

Cloris Leachman would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 30. The famous actress died at the age of 94 in 2021. A spokesman for Leachman reported the people That although the primary cause of her death was a cerebrovascular accident, or stroke, Covid-19 was also an “important condition” for her death.

Back in 2008, Entertainment Tonight (trans today) reported that 82-year-old Leachman was diagnosed with pneumonia after being hospitalized. Later, a spokesperson for “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” star confirmed that she had received medical attention because she had a “slight cough and wasn’t feeling quite herself.”

On June 1, Marilyn Monroe would have celebrated her 100th birthday. Throughout the Hollywood icon’s life, she has had several reported health struggles. In the 1985 biography of Anthony Summers”Goddess: The Secret Life of Marilyn MonroeMonroe was diagnosed with endometriosis at a time when treatment options were scarce, he wrote.

Next, she had to deal with her health condition, which negatively affected her marriage, her hopes for children, her career, and her personal life in general. In addition, according to New York TimesIn 1961, the Some Like It Hot star had surgery to remove his gallbladder because the organ was suffering from severe inflammation due to a gallstone.

Andy Griffith’s 100th birthday would have been June 1. The famous actor died at the age of 86 in 2012 due to a heart attack. “The Andy Griffith Show” alum previously survived a heart attack in 2000 and underwent quadruple bypass surgery as treatment.

During a 1996 conversation with guideGriffith noted that he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome after he experienced flu-like symptoms, felt “severe pain” throughout his body, and felt numbness in his feet. At first, doctors told him that the pain could only be treated with medication. However, he eventually found the right group of doctors, who greatly alleviated his symptoms through physical and mental therapy.

Tony Bennett would have turned 100 on August 3. The music legend died at the age of 96 in 2023, seven years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. talking to AARPGayatri Devi, Bennett’s neurologist, said she urged him to continue performing after his diagnosis because it “kept him on his toes and also stimulated his brain in an important way.”

The “Rags to Riches” hitmaker only stopped performing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Davey said not being able to perform took a toll on Bennett’s memory, perhaps because he no longer got the wave of emotions he used to get from being in front of a crowd.

Chuck Berry’s 100th birthday would have been on October 18. The rock and roll pioneer died at the age of 90 in 2017. Rolling Stone magazine Shortly before the music legend’s death, his son Charles Berry Jr. said he had been diagnosed with pneumonia and that his recovery had been slow due to his advanced age.

Although Chuck may have been dealing with many other issues related to aging privately, he continued to perform into his eighties. Notably, in 2011, the 84-year-old singer collapsed on stage while performing in Chicago. Chuck’s rep later told the AP that the accident occurred due to “exhaustion” (via Rolling Stone magazine).