At 114 years old, Bonita Gibson has outlived pandemics, childhood diseases, and nearly all her contemporaries – and she credits much of her remarkable longevity to a humble, everyday food that has been on her plate for more than a century.
Born on July 4, 1911, in Michigan, Gibson recently celebrated her 114th birthday, making her one of the oldest living people on the planet. Her life has spanned two world wars, the Spanish flu pandemic, and COVID-19. As a child, she battled mumps, measles, and whooping cough. At 109, she even survived a coronavirus infection. Yet she remains vibrant, ranking just behind the world’s oldest verified person, 115-year-old Ethel Caterham.
What is her formula? Gibson credits two lifelong habits: a relentlessly optimistic outlook and an unwavering love for potatoes.
A Century of Spuds: Why Potatoes?
Gibson’s enduring relationship with the tuber began during the Great Depression. She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Richard, and the couple settled on a farm where her husband eventually shifted to potato cultivation. Potatoes became a dietary staple – a habit that persisted even after Kenneth passed away in 2003.
“I’ve eaten potatoes for over 100 years,” Gibson has told media outlets, including People magazine. She neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, but her century-long embrace of this simple vegetable, combined with her refusal to let negativity take root, appears to have served her well.
The Science Behind the Spud
Nutritionists see merit in Gibson’s potato habit. Dietitian Wong Hoi-sze notes that a medium-sized potato (about 170 grams) contains roughly 161 calories and a mere 0.2 grams of fat – making it a naturally low-fat food. It also delivers 3.8 grams of fibre, plus a quarter of the daily recommended intake for vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium.
Key nutritional benefits of potatoes:
- Rich in resistant starch: This type of starch resists digestion in the small intestine, reaching the large intestine where it feeds beneficial gut bacteria. Resistant starch promotes satiety, aids blood sugar control, and supports weight management.
- Lower glycaemic impact when cooled: Cooking and then chilling potatoes increases their resistant starch content, which can help blunt blood sugar spikes.
- Eat the skin for extra nutrients: The skin is packed with dietary fibre, vitamins, and minerals. It also helps protect nutrients during cooking. Just be sure to wash potatoes thoroughly and avoid any that have sprouted or turned green.
Wong recommends preparing potatoes in advance, cooling them in the refrigerator, and consuming them with the skin intact for maximum health benefits.
Optimism: The Other Half of the Equation
Gibson’s second secret – maintaining a positive mental attitude – is backed by research. A study cited by the BBC found that optimists live 11 to 15 percent longer than pessimists, regardless of gender. Professor Bruce Hood, a developmental psychologist at the University of Bristol, explains that chronic stress negatively impacts the immune system and can shorten telomeres – the protective caps on chromosomes – accelerating cellular ageing and increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
A Life Fully Lived
Gibson’s longevity is matched by her zest for living. She drove a car until age 99, took her first flight at 100 to visit San Diego, and visited a casino for the first time at 102. She now has three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and 16 great-great-grandchildren. Her nightly ritual: a phone call with her 88-year-old eldest son.
Her story serves as a gentle reminder that longevity does not require exotic superfoods or extreme regimens. Sometimes, the most profound secrets are the simplest: a positive mind, a wholesome plate, and a humble potato enjoyed over a hundred years.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our collection of centenarian stories, including the 117-year-old whose gut bacteria resemble an infant’s, and discover how everyday foods can become pillars of a long, healthy life.