While most people are just starting their day with a cup of coffee, 100-year-old Mary Coroneos has already finished two newspapers, exercised at the gym, and even taken a walk by the beach. That’s just a regular afternoon for Coroneos from Norwalk, Connecticut, and she’s been keeping up this routine since before many of us were even born.
Coroneos turned 100 in June, celebrating with a big party with friends, family, and former students who still adore her. “She’s a pistol,” her daughter Athena, 65, told Business Insider. And anyone who meets her quickly learns that her secret to longevity isn’t just about healthy habits, it’s about living with purpose, curiosity, and joy.
Ever wondered how to live to 100 and still stay full of energy and humour? Coroneos says the secret is to keep moving, stay curious, enjoy treats in moderation and stay connected with people.
A childhood full of active lifestyle
As per Business Insider, Coroneos grew up in a coal mining town in western Pennsylvania. Her family didn’t have much money, but she had plenty of energy. While her father worked in the mines, she helped her mother at home and often turned chores into fun competitions with her brothers and sisters.
“We were always doing things, hiking up in the woods, finding old artifacts,” she told Business Insider. Whether it was racing to pick vegetables or weaving rugs faster than her brothers, Coroneos turned everyday life into a game.
“It was a friendly competition,” she said. “I won quite a bit, but I was the oldest, so I tried to give them a turn,” she told Business Insider.
Her active lifestyle continued in high school, where she played basketball and volleyball. She went on to college and later earned a Master’s in education from Temple University.
Balancing work and personal life
Coroneos built a long career as a full-time teacher, often working extra shifts at Dunkin’ Donuts to support her family. Retirement wasn’t really her thing. Even after officially stepping away from full-time teaching, she worked as a substitute teacher well into her 90s.
Athena believes this drive to keep working and learning is part of what has kept her mom so sharp. “There’s something about it that gives you vitality. It gives you a more youthful perspective,” she told Business Insider.
Strength training at 100
While many people her age take it easy, Coroneos still goes to the gym. She lifts light dumbbells, uses resistance bands, rides a recumbent bike, and even pushes a weighted sled. Her workouts mix strength, cardio, and short bursts of higher-intensity exercise, which is a healthy routine for staying active with age.
“She wants to be pushed. She needs the challenge,” Athena told Business Insider. Even injuries can’t stop her. After breaking two bones in her arm this summer, Coroneos was back at the gym in just three weeks. “It works very well,” she said. “When I don’t fall, I’m ok,” she told Business Insider.
What Mary Coroneos eats at 100 to stay healthy
Coroneos keeps her meals simple and healthy. She usually has two eggs with butter and tea for breakfast, chicken vegetable soup for lunch, and whatever her daughter Athena makes for dinner. “I’m not overeating, and I’m not drinking alcohol,” she told Business Insider.
But she still enjoys a treat now and then. Her favourites are ice cream and root beer floats. “She loves to improvise, so I’m her victim,” Coroneos joked about Athena’s cooking, she told Business Insider.
How does Coroneos keep her mind active at 100
Staying sharp at 100 takes more than exercise and good food. Coroneos also challenges her brain daily by reading newspapers and keeping up with world events. She’s curious about life and believes that curiosity keeps her flexible and youthful.
Athena recalled family trips to Europe, where her parents prioritised showing the kids new cultures and experiences. “I think if you have a curiosity about life and learning, it makes you less rigid. There’s a flexibility that you need for a long life,” she told Business Insider.
‘Gym is her place to socialise’
For Coroneos, the gym isn’t just about exercise, it’s also a place to socialise. She even keeps an eye out for ‘handsome 80-somethings’ and loves to laugh and flirt. ‘She’s a notorious flirt. She may be 100, but she’s not blind,’ Athena told Business Insider.
Coroneos also says her strong faith helps keep her grounded. ‘I remember that the man upstairs is in charge, then I behave better,’ she told Business Insider.
Over the years, she’s built lasting friendships through teaching. Many of her former students travelled from around the world to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Longevity tips from a 100-year-old
When asked for her advice on living a long life, Coroneos keeps it simple. “Just keep moving, step carefully, and look where you’re going,” she told Business Insider. “Challenge yourself, but make it fun,” she added. “Enjoy treats, but don’t overdo it,” she said.
Her daughter Athena says longevity may run in the family, but it’s her mother’s approach to life that really matters. “If you can broaden your perspective through friendship and learning new things, you can enjoy life and have a purpose. And it’s never too late to pursue,” Athena told Business Insider.
At 100, Coroneos shows that ageing well isn’t about strict rules or giving up the things you enjoy. It’s about balance, curiosity, strength and enjoying it everyday.
