Anne Angioletti, a remarkable 101-year-old jewelry store owner, has shared her secrets to longevity and an active lifestyle. Working six days a week, she embodies a vibrant spirit through her commitment to her business, exercise, and social life. Angioletti continues to drive, dance, and engage with her community, demonstrating that age is just a number.
Angioletti operates her jewelry store in Cresskill, New Jersey, a business she has owned since 1964. Her daily routine includes regular trips to New York City to source new merchandise. Despite her age, she maintains an independent lifestyle, living alone and enjoying Saturday night dinners out with friends. “It gives me a reason to get up, to shower, to dress, to make up, to try to look presentable, and to enjoy my business,” she remarked, emphasizing the pleasure she finds in her work.
The centenarian’s approach to life is grounded in positivity. “I think my secret is that I love life. I’m happy. I try not to worry about tomorrow,” Angioletti said. This outlook has helped her navigate significant life challenges, including the Great Depression and becoming a young widow after her husband passed away from cancer at age 52.
Exercise has also played a crucial role in her longevity. Starting in her 40s, Angioletti adopted a rigorous fitness routine that included walking three miles daily and climbing 20 flights of stairs. Today, she dedicates 30 minutes each morning to leg raises, waist bends, and light weight training with 2-pound weights. “Of course, I can’t dance like I used to, but one or two dances a night,” she said, referring to her Saturday outings with friends. “We have a wonderful time.”
Angioletti’s dietary habits reflect her mindful approach to health. She enjoys a balanced diet, often having chicken, Chinese, or Mediterranean food for lunch. Her favorite vegetables include tomatoes, spinach, and broccoli rabe, while she treats herself to a beer once a week. Despite her sweet tooth, she prefers savory foods and avoids snacks such as pretzels and chips. “When I get candy, I give it away. It’s not my thing,” she explained.
The insights from her life resonate with her family, particularly her granddaughter, who has observed Angioletti’s stress-free philosophy. “She’s always said to me that worrying about anything is not good for you,” her granddaughter noted, highlighting Angioletti’s ability to maintain a worry-free existence.
Throughout her life, Angioletti has held various jobs, including working as a waitress, a short-order cook, and even making surgical instruments during World War II. Each experience has contributed to her resilience and purpose. “People should have a reason to get up,” she stated. “I don’t have anything to do if I were at home. So that’s not good.”
Angioletti’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of an active lifestyle, a positive mindset, and a commitment to one’s passions. As she continues to thrive at 101, her life exemplifies how embracing joy and purpose can lead to a long and fulfilling existence.
