July 10, 2023

9 Extraordinary Seniors Over 90

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Age is just a number – and one that definitely shouldn’t slow you down. All across the globe, seniors from a variety of backgrounds are finding ways to live their very best lives. Some are reconnecting with childhood hobbies, while others are discovering new cherished pastimes. From becoming published authors in their triple digits to pulling off amazing fitness feats, here are 9 seniors over 90 doing amazing things.

Sam Baker, 100: Children’s book author

At age 95, Marine Corp veteran Sam Baker started writing and publishing children’s books. When his children were young, he was always telling them stories. And when his wife of 56 years died and his son Mike gave him a new computer, he decided it was time to jot some of these down. Baker has since published several books, including The Silly Adventures of Petunia and Herman the Worm and Oscar the Mouse. His goal is to help children fall in love with books and learn to read in the process. “I read that our nation’s reading scores were down, and as someone who started off having reading challenges, I wanted to help kids laugh while learning,” he says. “As a WW11 vet, it's something I can give to my country, and hope it works!”

Charlotte Sanddal, 100: Swimming champion

Charlotte Sanddal, a 100 year-old from Helena, Montana, was the oldest pool competitor in the recent National Senior Games, a nonprofit that encourages active adults by hosting competitions and events across the country. Before a race, Sanddal paints her toenails rainbow colors to match her multi-colored swim cap. At the Huntsman World Senior Games in 2022, she broke two world records. “Oh, that part I don’t think about,” she said in an interview for the Games’ YouTube channel. “Just to get in the pool and do the event.”

Apo Whang-Od, 106: Tattoo artist and cover star

Apo Whang-Od, who also goes by the name Maria Oggay, lives in a small mountain town in the Philippines where she’s known for giving people traditional “batok” tattoos that are native to her country. It’s a tradition she picked up from her father at the age of 16 and involves using a sharp stick and charcoal soot. When Vogue Philippines heard about Whang-Od, who is said to be “the last mambabatok of her generation,” they recognized her for symbolizing the strength and beauty of the Filipino spirit by making her a cover star at the magazine. This amazing centenarian has also been instrumental in increasing tourism to the Philippines as people have flocked overseas to receive one of her tattoos.

Edna May Giordano, 90: Fitness junkie

This 90-year-old grandmother of 21 grandchildren works out every day. She’s an inspiration to seniors everywhere, reminding them that it’s never too late to get in shape and that staying active is key to a long and healthy life. When it comes to her inspiration, she told Newsweek: "I am 90 years old and have five children, 21 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, so you can see I had to be active.” When she retired in 1997, she realized the motto “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” is true and has been a dedicated gym rat ever since.

Iris Apfel, 101: Fashion icon

Bright patterns, bold colors, animal prints. Nothing is off limits for Iris Apfel, an interior designer and celebrated fashion icon. She’s walked the carpet at the Met Gala, had a documentary dedicated to her, and has been photographed everywhere in her trademark oversized sunglasses, flashy clothing, and costume jewelry. She has her own collection of everything from rugs to eyeglasses, makeup pouches, and more. When it comes to fashion, Apfel is queen – and not one that plans on retiring anytime soon.

Marjorie Johnson, 103: The Blue Ribbon Baker

Baking enthusiast Marjorie Johnson has been gracing the Minnesota State Fair with her baked goods for decades. She loves to bake and makes everything from honey date yogurt multigrain bread to sour cream coffee cake. She’s taken home blue ribbons at the fair and even has her own cookbook out called The Road to Blue Ribbon Baking: With Marjorie. Johnson has also been featured on everything from The Tonight Show to The View. She shared a few longevity tips in an interview with local news channel KARE11 in Minneapolis, Minn: "Always think positive, don't eat a lot of junk food, and exercise every day. And have a cup of blueberries every day."

Lowery Smith, 94: Senior Olympian

When Lowery Smith turned 85, he struggled with periods of depression and mood swings. Getting back into sports, which were a big part of his past life, he says, has changed his life. He also credits a book called The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister as inspiring him to reconnect with his past love of competing. Smith then decided to get back into sports with the goal of competing in the National Senior Games. He’s found a new love for adventure and now competes in shotput and discus. He’s won gold medals in the Minnesota Senior Games and has even starred in commercials for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Prior to a rotator cuff injury, he was also active in racquetball and javelin, taking home medals in those as well.

Dr. Howard Tucker, 100: Practicing Physician

And the Guinness World Record for the longest practicing doctor goes to World War II Navy veteran and physician Dr. Howard Tucker. This Cleveland, Ohio-based neurologist has been in practice for the past 75 years – and counting! He still practices at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center and also teaches neurology residents his medical best practices. In addition, Tucker is thirsty for new knowledge and is always keeping up with the latest studies and scientific literature. His secret to his longevity? As he told Homa Bash with News 5 Cleveland, “Never stop moving, never stop learning.”

Sister Madonna Buder, 93, “The Iron Nun”

Running, biking, and swimming. Sister Madonna Buder does it all, still competing in triathlons at age 93. She entered her first triathlon at age 52 and has been going strong ever since. Her teenage years were spent being a champion equestrian, then she joined a convent at age 23 and fell out of the hobby. At age 48, she picked up a pair of running shoes and went for her first big run, logging a half-mile in five minutes. From then, she’s been a running devotee. Buder was featured in a Nike ad in 2016 at the age of 86 and continues to inspire others with her fortitude and grit.