The world's oldest person just died at age 116 — these were her secrets to a long and happy life

Melia Robinson/Business Insider

The world's oldest living person has died at the age of 116.

Just one year ago, I had breakfast Susannah Mushatt Jones, then 115, in her home — a sunbathed one-bedroom in the Vandalia Houses, a public-housing facility for seniors in east Brooklyn, New York.

When I arrived, Jones had already finished up eating her bacon and was tackling the grits. She was blind and partially deaf in the last few years of her life, but with steady, fervent hands, she searched her plate for morsels and shoved them into her mouth.

At 116, she swore by bacon as one of her secrets to longevity.

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The routine was the same each day for Jones. First the bacon, then grits. Afterwards, she unwrapped five sticks of Doublemint gum and tossed the papers on the floor beside her slippers. She liked to chew them all at once because, as her caretaker explained, "they're making them so flimsy now."

Every morning, Jones took a multivitamin and a blood-pressure medication with a glass of water and cranberry juice. She saw the doctor just four times a year for "maintenance," according to her niece Lois Judge. Along with chewing gum and her breakfasts, Judge said Jones' diet largely consisted of fruits. She never complained of pain.

She slept most of the day, with the radio or a daytime-TV game show playing in the background, though she probably couldn't hear it. Jones mainly responded to the voices of her family members and friends.

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Still, Jones didn't look a day over 100 when I saw her. The Lowndes County, Alabama, native had smooth, soft skin, like peach fuzz. Patches of light brown hair covered her head, while whiskers peppered her chin. Her frame was small — maybe 5 foot, 90 pounds — a far cry from the sturdy woman she was in her youth.

Judge attributed her aunt's long life to a few factors: Jones never drank, partied, or did drugs. Her greatest indulgence was lace lingerie from Bloomingdale's, with which she reportedly startled her doctors when she sported it during an EKG appointment years ago.

Most importantly, they believe, she surrounded herself with family who provide love and support and continue to visit every Sunday. And certainly, a "working man's appetite" couldn't hurt.

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My visit with Jones was brief. And quiet. She mostly laid slumped over in an armchair as Judge recounted her aunt's journey. Several times we attempted to rile her from her slumber without success, and only when Judge mentioned Jones' favorite breakfast meat did she rouse.

"Are you hungry?" Judge said in a shouting voice, cradling her aunt in an outstretched arm.

"Am I hungry?" Jones repeated. "What do you got to eat?"

"Bacon," Judge said.

Without missing a beat, Jones jerked her head upright and asked, "Where is it?"

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