Dorothy Howe An elderly 100-year-old British woman who called whiskey and cigarettes the secret of her longevity Country: Great Britain

Biography of Dorothy Howe

Dorothy Howe, a 100-year-old British pensioner, has attributed whiskey and cigarettes as the secret to her longevity. Having lived a century, Dorothy has smoked nearly half a million cigarettes throughout her life. "Whiskey and 15 cigarettes a day are the key to my good health," Dorothy declared during her 100th birthday celebration, holding a glass of her favorite drink.

As a former secretary, Dorothy began smoking at the age of 16, lighting up British 'Superking Black' cigarettes. Since then, she has smoked around 15 cigarettes daily. Over the past 84 years, she has consumed approximately 460,000 cigarettes, amounting to £193,000 by today's standards. Despite the evident health risks, Dorothy believes that smoking is what contributed to her longevity. Additionally, she credits maintaining her shape to the occasional sip of whiskey.

The elderly lady, who prefers to relax with her favorite whiskey brand 'Bell', acknowledges that her health has been compromised by cigarettes and alcohol. However, Dorothy claims that doctors have determined that without these vices, she would not still be alive. She proudly states, "I am still alive, and I can raise my elbows. That's great. I've lived a long life, and God has been very good to me. I've been very lucky."

Dorothy, who remains childless, continues to reside in her house in Saltdean, East Sussex. She formerly worked at the newspaper kiosks of 'Martin's'. She lost her husband Peter to cancer in 1993 when he was 60 years old, leaving her alone since then.

In the past, Dorothy repeatedly promised herself that she would quit smoking when prices increased. However, today she dismisses all her previous promises. Reflecting on her smoking habits, she remarks, "When I started smoking, I was about 16, and 20 cigarettes cost eleven and a half pence. I just can't believe how much they cost now. Although the taste of whiskey is still as good as before. My legs aren't as swift as I'd like them to be, but my sharp mind remains intact."

On her 100th birthday, Dorothy's friends brought her to a local pub, where she enjoyed a couple of drinks before returning home to open her special greeting from Buckingham Palace. Cards expressing gratitude for her years of loyalty and support to Britain, along with well wishes and other messages, arrive for her 100th and 105th birthdays and subsequent anniversaries from the Queen herself.

Dorothy's friend, Lynn Sass, said, "Dorothy has earned the respect and friendship of many people in this area. She is wonderful and has a great character." It seems that over the years, Dorothy has truly done a lot of good, for which she is highly appreciated. Furthermore, Sass believes that reaching such an age is an achievement in itself for her friend, Dorothy.