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- At 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life
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At 108, Susan Young Browne takes only one medicine, drives her blue car still: 5 tips from her for a long, healthy, fulfilling life
TOI Lifestyle Desk / ETimes.in / Updated: Aug 3, 2026, 10:19 IST
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5 tips from Susan Young Browne, who takes only one medicine, drives her blue car at 108
When most people imagine old age, they picture slowing down, giving up the car keys, piling up medications, and trading adventures for naps. Susan Young Browne flips that story on its head. She’s 108 and still runs her own life in the same house she’s lived in for decades, driving wherever she wants, exercising every day, losing herself in romance novels, dancing, catching up with friends, and being an active part of her community. She’s been behind the wheel for over 80 years and just renewed her license until 2033, and she’ll be 115 then! Per Audacy, her daughter, Lynnette Young Overby, says Susan takes only one pill a day, for blood pressure. She comes from long-lived stock too; one of her sisters made it to 103.
People all over the globe are paying attention to her, not because she claims some special magic or miracle formula (nope, she doesn’t), but because her life is refreshingly down-to-earth. There are no crazy diets, weird supplements, or elaborate exercise programs. Just steady habits: stay active, eat sensibly, hold onto independence, keep your mind busy, and live with intention. Scientists agree there’s no surefire way to reach 100, but the research shows it boils down to a mix of genes, lifestyle, connections, and health care. Susan’s story proves daily choices, repeated year after year, don’t just help you live longer; they help you live better.
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Who is Susan Young Browne?
Born April 24, 1918, in Lincoln, Delaware, Susan grew up on a farm with no electricity or running water alongside nine siblings. She lived through segregation in America, when Black children got few educational opportunities. Her family made sure she got a high school education, paying for her to attend Delaware State College High School since the local public schools shut their doors to Black students. She graduated from Delaware State University in 1945, making her the oldest living alumna today.
Teaching became her purpose. She taught elementary school for 30 years, starting in a one-room schoolhouse, then shaping generations of kids around Delaware. She even helped her first husband run his bus business, balancing work and family long before “work-life balance” became a thing. She retired in 1977, but “retired” isn’t what you’d call her life. Instead, she dove into travel, church, volunteering, and community projects
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Life as a centenarian
These days, Susan’s family is still floored by her energy. She runs errands, goes to the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, works out several times a week, and manages her own daily routine. Her son jokes she can do stretches he can’t. For Susan, exercise isn’t a “special” event—it’s just what she does every day
So, what does her life teach?
Let’s unpack her longevity secrets
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Keep moving
If Susan has one ironclad rule, it’s staying physically active. Every morning starts with about ten minutes of stretching and then balance and leg exercises. Three times a week, she’s at the senior center, chair dancing and joining other fitness activities. Study after study shows regular movement preserves muscle, flexibility, heart health, and balance, plus lowers risk for falls and diseases. Susan’s approach: exercise doesn’t have to be dramatic; just make it a lifetime habit, not a once-in-a-while promise.
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Eat simply, practice moderation
Susan keeps her meals basic: chicken, fruit (apples, peaches, blueberries), black coffee, cranberry juice. She skips fried food, alcohol, and loads of sugar. But she lets herself enjoy her homemade 7UP cake at family gatherings. Nutrition experts always say healthy eating isn’t about being perfect, but consistent. Diets with lots of fruit, lean protein, and not a lot of processed stuff help you age well. Her strategy is about balance, not strict denial
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Fight for your independence
Susan’s biggest belief? Hold on to independence as long as you can. After losing two husbands, she made a conscious choice to look after herself. “I decided when I was left alone that I didn’t need anybody to take care of me. I take care of myself,” she says. Driving, handling her own day-to-day needs, etc., give her confidence and purpose. Experts agree: independence is key for emotional well-being and quality of life as we get older
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Keep your mind and social life active
Healthy aging isn’t just physical. Susan loves reading romance books, working word puzzles, going to church, participating in sorority events, and spending time with friends. She stays organized with a pocket calendar. Studies show mental hobbies and social activity help keep your mind sharp, lower loneliness, and boost resilience. Susan proves relationships matter at any age. Rather than seeing growing older as something to fear, she embraces it with humour and optimism. Asked about her outlook, she simply said, “I grow old gracefully.”
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Stay curious, keep exploring
Travel and new experiences? Susan never stopped. When Alaska and Hawaii became states, she made sure to visit both. She traveled to Spain, Portugal, and Brazil. Hawaii, she says, tops her list for sheer beauty. The lesson here: growing doesn’t stop at retirement. Staying curious keeps life exciting
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