At 113 years, Leila Denmark MD is currently the 7th oldest known person in the world.
She is also a physician who practiced pediatrics until she was 103 years old. She has always recognized the importance of diet and hard work towards achieving longevity. She is known for recommending avoiding sugar and that only water should be drunk, not sodas or fruit juices.
Dr. Denmark remained quite robust up until the middle of her 110th year, but since then requires care for all of her daily activities of living. She lives in the home of her daughter in Georgia, the same state she was born and practiced in.
Dr. Denmark’s long life exemplifies the relative importance of diet and work ethic as compared to genetics. Her mother died at age 45, her father died at 65 and many of her 11 siblings died of heart disease. Other than a mild heart attack at age 99, Denmark has been healthy.
Dr. Denmark’s most famous simple prescription for longevity is “love what you do and eat right.”
She will turn 114 on February 1st, 2012.
