World’s Oldest Woman Says The Key To Long Life Is ‘To Treat People How You Want To Be Treated’

When it comes to wisdom, people often look to their elders for direction, inspiration, and tips for living life properly.

When the world’s oldest person, Jeralean Talley from Michigan, spoke about living life to the fullest on her 116th birthday, many were interested to hear what she had to say, and with good reason.

Talley is considered by the Gerontology Research Group to be the oldest person alive today, based on records pinpointing the day she was born.

Robert Young from the group said, “You’re more likely to the win the lottery than to reach this age.”

When asked about how she thinks she reached the ripe old age of 116, Talley spoke with humility, telling reporters, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”

However, when pushed a little further, Talley offered some gems about the secret to a long life.

Her godson, Tyler Kinloch, said, “Her No. 1 rule is to treat people how you want to be treated.”

Being a religious woman, Talley put her long life down to God. She also admitted that she never eats butter and avoids adding cream or milk to her coffee.

Having been lauded by her local church on her 116th birthday, Talley was clearly emotional, simply saying to the congregants, “I thank you very, very, very, very much.”

Just to make her day even more special, Talley received a letter from president Barack Obama, who wrote, “The breadth of your experiences and depth of your wisdom reflect the long path our Nation has traveled since 1899.”

The president continued, “During this time, there have been setbacks and breakthroughs, false starts and improbable victories, and through it all our country’s spirit has endured – strengthened and enriched by each generation.”

Wilson, a close friend of Talley’s, said to reporters about the world’s oldest woman, “What I take away from Ms. Talley’s life is to live life to the fullest, but you definitely need to stay active. Her love of God and love of church and love of people are just remarkable.”

[Image credit: goodblacknews.org]