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- I’m 92 and still live independently. I make sure to stay active, and I don’t eat a lot of red meat. (businessinsider.com)
92-Year-Old Mira Armstrong Shares Her Secret to a Long Life: “Don’t Die!”
Mira Armstrong, a vibrant 92-year-old from Porepunkah, Australia, still lives independently in the home she and her husband built in 1956. Her secret to a long and fulfilling life?
With a twinkle in her eye, she quips, “Don’t die!” But behind her playful answer lies a lifetime of resilience, hard work, and an unwavering spirit.
Born in Poland during the Depression, Armstrong’s early life was marked by hardship. World War II forced her family to flee to Germany, where they scavenged for survival. She vividly recalls American planes overhead and the hunger of British prisoners of war.
After the war, her family immigrated to Australia, arriving in Melbourne in 1950. “It felt like heaven,” she remembers. She met her husband, Bruce, in Porepunkah, and they built a life together, raising five children.
Armstrong attributes her longevity in part to her active lifestyle. From cycling long distances to farm work and raising a family, she was always on the move. Today, she maintains an active routine with walking and gardening.
A balanced diet has also played a role. While she enjoys a variety of foods, red meat is scarce on her menu.
She admits to a fondness for fruit, but monitors her intake due to borderline diabetes. She’s also a lifelong non-smoker and only recently started drinking coffee.
Staying social and giving back to her community are also important to Armstrong. She spent years volunteering with Meals on Wheels and her local op shop, and cherishes time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her faith has been a source of strength, particularly after the loss of her husband and a son. Though she briefly turned away from religion, she found solace in her faith during difficult times.
Keeping her mind sharp with puzzles and reading, especially thrillers and romance novels, has also been a constant.
Armstrong’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, an active lifestyle, and a positive outlook. While her humorous advice to “Don’t die!” may seem simple, it reflects a deep appreciation for life and a determination to live it to the fullest.