Alex O'Brien
Retirement Life

Woman who lives off fish and chips turns 102

For most of us, fish and chips are a once-in-a-while treat, but Dora Rixham, who just celebrated her 102nd birthday, claims “plenty of fish and chips” is the secret to living a long life.

Dora, who was born at her family’s fish and chip shop in Sheffield and grew up on a diet of the deep-fried English favourite, tells Express, “we had plenty of fish and chips as children and we absolutely loved it.”

During her childhood years, Dora was “well-known” around Sheffield, working in the family business delivering potato chips to the local pubs. “My father was the first man to sell crisps in Sheffield too. When I was about 12-years-old, I would walk round all the pubs selling tins of crisps.”

Married at age 24, Dora and her husband John, who passed away aged 81, had two sons. She explains, “we didn’t have much money, but we were always happy. We were never well-off, but we had enough.” The couple were keen dancers, with Dora admitting she’s still “very partial” to a bit of dancing to her favourites, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra.

So, aside from fish and chips of course, what are Dora’s secrets to reaching the very impressive age of 102? “Never be a worrier. Just do what I’ve always done – carry on regardless,” she says, adding, “I don’t care what they say, all men should cuddle your girl three time a day.”

Related links:

108-year-old’s heart-warming advice for long life

5 centenarians reveal their surprising secrets to live to 100

112-year-old reveals the secret to a long life

Tags:
grandmother, Centenarian, Longevity, fish and chips