Positive Attitude and Bacon Credited For Illinois Woman’s Long Life

Ruth Benjamin of southern Illinois just celebrated her 109th birthday. “I never smoked a cigarette in my life, I never drank liquor in my life, and I had one husband for 43 years,” she said. “And I love bacon!

iStock

Born in 1908, Ruth was one of six children. She worked at Quakemaid in Terre Haute, Indiana for 43 years.

Dr. Jim Turner says she doesn't need a long list of orders and he thinks the key to her long life has been, “Hard work. A loving family. A wonderful marriage. And she never drank, she never smoked, but she was happy. And I think that was the key to her longevity.”