Celebrities who lived to be more than 90 years old despite breaking these unspoken health rules

It can be said that many celebrities who lived into their 90s and beyond have proven that longevity is not as cut and dried as it seems. On paper, it sounds simple: Eat a nutrient-rich diet and stay active as you age. Now, research has consistently shown that these two basics can go a long way in increasing lifespan. However, many icons who lived into their 90s refused to focus on the little things about the basics and instead focused on cultivating an overall healthier lifestyle. Unsurprisingly, even research has shown that longevity cannot be achieved through diet and exercise alone, as there are many other variables at play.

For example, one study published in Immunity and aging He noted in 2016 that previous studies suggested that genes could account for about 25% of longevity. At the same time, another article was published in Lancet Healthy Longevity In 2023, it found that even factors such as sun exposure, other environmental factors and stress levels can also affect life expectancy. The researchers also noted that longevity may be affected by efforts to maintain brain activity as we age.

Additionally, in a March 2026 conversation with New York TimesHealth psychologist Deepika Chopra explained how negative thinking can affect people as they age, saying, “When people repeatedly imagine the future as limited or regressed, which a lot of older people do, the brain starts to kind of reinforce those expectations.” Chopra noted that training the brain to focus on the positives can create excitement about what lies ahead as we age. With all this in mind, it seems that celebrities who have achieved longevity without strict rules are on to something.

Everyone knows that there are a lot of them The real health benefits of eating broccoli. In fact, one study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2024 found that eating broccoli once or twice a week was associated with a 32% to 43% lower risk of all-cause mortality. However, while George H.W. Bush was well aware of these positives, he still refused to eat green. In the 2019 documentary “The Secret History of Air Force One” (trans the people), presidential journalist Kenneth Walsh shared that the former president hated broccoli his whole life and had banned the green vegetable from Air Force One meals.

However, Bush lived to be 94 years old, perhaps thanks to his love of sports. As a 2010 article from Forbes The newspaper highlighted that the former president remained physically active in his final years, although he eventually required the assistance of a cane after hip replacement surgery.

Despite knowledge What happens to the body when you eat fast food every day?Warren Buffett still regularly stocks an item from the McDonald’s breakfast menu: two sausages; Sausage, egg and cheese biscuits. Or a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit (via CNBC Make it). according to Business insiderthe famous businessman drinks five cans of Coke a day and regularly treats himself to Dairy Queen ice cream, hot dogs, French fries and candy.

During a 2023 interview with Business Insider, Buffett said he believes happiness is the key to achieving longevity. He then went on to assert that he felt happier when he ate all the foods he enjoyed. Even with his unconventional diet, he seems to be thriving in his 90s.

In an interview with The New Potato (trans Town & Country Magazine), Iris Apfel shared that she was thriving in her retirement because she had acquired several healthy habits, including eating a nutrient-dense diet and quitting smoking. However, the fashion icon broke an unspoken health rule by not exercising frequently. Instead of giving up alcohol completely, Apfel also allowed herself a drink every now and then.

Meanwhile, in September 2021 the people In the interview, Apfel shared that she didn’t follow a “health plan” and instead chose to follow the basics like staying away from unhealthy food. There is no doubt that this philosophy worked well for Apfel, who lived to be 102 years old.

Many people think so You are more likely to die early if you eat certain foodsIncluding those containing sugar. However, Mel Brooks apparently did not take this belief seriously, he said Enjoy your food In May 2013, he loved having tea with cream and sugar.

During January 2026 the people In the interview, Brooks shared his simple secret to longevity, saying, “I believe laughter keeps you healthy and happy.” A 15-year follow-up study published in Psychosomatic medicine In 2016, it found that men who scored high on a humor scale were 74% less likely to die from infection. Brooks appeared in good spirits as he approaches his centennial in 2026.

It is a common belief that as we age, we need to slow down in our careers for the sake of our health. However, Norman Lear clearly did not support this idea. During the June 2022 conference it was presented CNNLear was quoted as saying: “I like to wake up in the morning with something in mind, something I can work on… to come to some conclusion.” It is worth noting that one of the studies in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health In 2016, it found that even working a year beyond typical retirement age can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 9% to 11%. Lear lived to be 101 years old.

Similar to Norman Lear, Bob Hope challenged the idea that retirement is important for health. In a December 1987 interview with Chicago TribuneThe then-84-year-old comedian said that if he faced physical ailments that made it difficult for him to do his work, he would start working behind the camera as a writer or director. Hope kept his word and continued working into his nineties. Thanks to his incredible work ethic, Hope lived to be 100 years old. It is worth noting that the summary of the issue published by the magazine Center for Retirement Research at Boston College In 2021, it found that work reduced the death rate from 8% to 6% for men in their 60s.