The average human lifespan typically falls between 70 to 80 years, with most people beginning to experience the physical and mental effects of aging decades earlier. As our bodies grow older, they often become more susceptible to ailments, and maintaining vitality becomes an increasingly uphill battle. However, one Chinese woman has defied all odds and has become an example for ages to come.
Qiu Chaishi, a woman from Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China, celebrated her 124th birthday on January 1. Qiu, born in 1901, lived through over a century of China’s history, encompassing the Qing dynasty and the rise of modern-day China. While her age has not been officially verified outside of China, her birthdate is recorded in the hukou system, the country’s household registration system, as reported by The Star.
Qiu’s family, spanning six generations, regards her as one of the oldest living centenarians in the region. Her extended family includes her 60-year-old granddaughter and her eight-month-old great-grandchild.
But living a long and healthy life requires an active effort to maintain a strict lifestyle. She told The Star that she remains remarkably active, having three meals each day. Her meals are followed by short walks for better digestion. Qiu also mentioned that she sleeps by 8 PM each evening.
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Following such a healthy life, at the age of 124 also, Qui can manage minimal tasks, like combing her hair, lighting fires, and feeding geese, by herself. She can even climb stairs with ease. Qui informs the news outlet that lard rice is made with porridge containing pumpkin, winter melon, and crushed corn. While her fondness for lard has never wavered, she now eats it in moderation on her doctor’s recommendation.
Qui has been around for more than 100 years now, which means that she has seen China transition from a monarchy to a Republic of China. Recalling the time, when China was governed by the Qing Dynasty, Qui said that her life was filled with hardships, and many people died due to starvation, often searching for wild vegetables in the mountains. Before her marriage, Qiu was well-known in her village for her sharp accounting skills and remarkable physical strength, frequently handling challenging farm tasks such as plowing fields and stacking stones.
However, she was faced with great tragedy in her 40s when her husband suddenly died, leaving her to raise four children alone. Qiu didn’t lose hope she endured and brought up her children with dignity. But as she continued to live life healthily, she had to witness the death of her eldest son. After Qiu’s daughter-in-law remarried, she left behind a granddaughter, whom Qiu raised as her own. Years later, the granddaughter endured another hardship when she lost her husband, becoming a single mother once more.
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Now Qiu lives with her granddaughter in Nanchong. While her body has deteriorated after she hit the age of 100, her wit and sharpness are still the same. Commenting on her long life, Qiu said, “ “My siblings, husband, and son passed away long ago. The King of Hell must have forgotten about me and will not take me!”
Qiu believes that her secret to a long life is keeping a positive outlook on life. However, she is not the only centenarian who lives in Nanchong. As per reports, there are about 960 centenarians living in Nanchang alone.
