You’re probably referring to Jeanne Calment , who lived to 122 years and 164 days and is recognized as the oldest person whose age has been reliably documented.
What were her “secrets”?
There wasn’t one proven habit responsible for her longevity. Accounts of her life mention several interesting habits:
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She remained physically active well into old age, including walking and cycling.
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She enjoyed social activities and maintained an active social life.
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She reportedly ate a relatively simple diet, with olive oil, vegetables, fruit, and moderate amounts of other foods.
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She enjoyed chocolate, reportedly eating substantial amounts each week.
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She drank wine in moderation.
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She had a relaxed attitude toward life and was known for her humor and optimism.
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She smoked occasionally, reportedly beginning in her younger years and eventually stopping in her 117th year.
That last point is important: her smoking history clearly doesn’t make smoking a longevity strategy. Individual exceptional cases can’t establish that a particular behavior is healthy.
What can we actually learn from her?
Calment’s life is fascinating, but her habits don’t prove that any particular food, drink, or lifestyle practice causes extreme longevity. Reaching 100+ appears to involve a combination of genetics, environment, socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, medical care, and plain biological variation.
In other words, there is no scientifically established “Jeanne Calment formula” for reaching 122. Her record is remarkable precisely because extreme longevity is exceptionally rare.
