Unlucky in love? Turns out that being on your own may be better for your health than we originally thought. On Wednesday, Louise Signore celebrated 107 years of life. She claims that her secret is that she's stayed single all this time.
Born in Harlem, New York, Louise moved to the Bronx when she was a child. She still lives there today and chose to celebrate her special day at Bartow Community Center with 100 of her closest friends and family.
Watch how Louise celebrated below:This strong Italian woman was born in 1912, which was the year that Arizona became a U.S. state, and the Titanic sunk. But after 107 years, she's as healthy as can be. With no cane or wheelchair, Louise is in great condition for her age. She's also pretty independent, and still does all her own shopping.
Though Louise is legally blind, the only medicine she takes is a pill for her high blood pressure. She's also no stranger to hardship, she recently recovered from pneumonia, and survived an assaulted robbery in her apartment four years ago.
While it probably doesn't hurt that Louise eats well and works out, she says the real secret to her longevity is that she's never tied the knot. That, and lots of Italian food.
And although she usually never eats cake, she made an exception for her birthday. She told WCBS:
"If they have exercise, I do the exercise. If they have dancing, I dance. I still a do a little dancing. After my lunch, I will play bingo, so I had a full day."
I think the secret of 107: I never got married. I think that's the secret. My sister says, 'I wish I never got married.'"
Louise's sister is 102, we might add. So, Louise's longevity might also be more of a genetic thing than we originally thought.
Aisha Parillon, JASA’s senior director of senior services, told WCBS that Louise's attention to human connection could also play a role: "I think that her connection with her neighbors in the community and also her friends here at the senior center help to keep her going."
The oldest person in the United States is currently Alelia Murphy, who is 114. However, she's only the eighth oldest in the world, as there is currently a 116-year-old woman living in Japan. Regardless, they both better look out. Louise is coming for them.
