A 101-year-old woman has revealed her secret to living a happy life.
Many people who reach the ripe old age of 101 take time to reflect on the things that they have enjoyed most in their long lives.
For a lot of centenarians, it's their family that has gotten them through the good times and the bad. For others, it might be keeping a positive outlook, or engaging in regular exercise.
But for Mary Flip of Chandler, Arizona, it's tequila that's kept her happy through the years.
At least, that's what the feisty 101-year-old told AZ Family reporter Sarah Robinson when she visited her on her 101st birthday.
Mary celebrated the milestone by partying with family, friends, and her favorite beer Guinness. She'd made it very clear there'd be plenty of dancing at the shindig, telling the news anchor: "Oh, I'll get up on the table."
Watch the full interview here:In amongst the revelry, Mary did find some time to reflect on her long and eventful life. Born in 1921, Mary spent her childhood in Illinois living through the Great Depression. She lost her sister and her mother early in life, and by the time she was 15 was the sole surviving member of her family.
Despite this, Mary didn't let life get her down. At 18, she moved to Mexico where she got married and lived a quiet life as a rancher.
But this was far from the end of Mary's adventures. When she fell pregnant with her first child, she moved again - this time to Chicago, where she became a respected artist recognized by the Chicago School of Art.
"I really like to draw. And I was able to figure out that things change even as you're drawing them. So, I was able to develop and make them look real. It took time but I had nothing else to do except raise a bunch of kids," Mary said.
Alongside her career in the arts, Mary went on to have six children. Reflecting on how she had raised such a large brood, the 101-year-old said: "I just stand back and see them fighting."
Now that she's into her second century of life, Mary has slowed down a little. However, she still has a wicked sense of humor. When asked by her daughter how she feels, the birthday girl replied sarcastically: "With my hand".
As for how she replied when asked what her secret to a happy life is, the centenarian gave it a moment's thought before replying confidently: "Tequila!"
