Edith Hill was born on March 3, 1919, and never imagined that one day she would count 107 candles on her cake.
She worked all her life as a secretary in the United Kingdom and only moved to a senior living residence when she turned 100. She is still there, handling much of her affairs on her own, keeping up with family news, and having the energy for long chats with those who visit her. Her niece, Anne Turner, describes her as hardworking, loving, and independent to the core. And when asked what the trick was to living so long, she did not talk about diets or complicated routines: “The secret is being independent, eating lots of chocolate and enjoying parties”, she said, mentioning her weakness for Cadbury Dairy Milk.
Edith lived through two world wars, the coronation of five monarchs, and 23 British prime ministers. She never smoked, drank little alcohol, and built her longevity without magic formulas: just autonomy, simple pleasures, and the desire to keep enjoying each day.
