Woman, 104, loves to dance and is still 'sharp as a tack.' Her 6 simple longevity tips

Ella Darby Bovees is just days away from turning 105 — an age she says she "never thought about" hitting. But looking back on all she's packed into those decades, she says she feels "blessed."

"I just went with the flow, year by year. ... I really don't hurt at all. I am so lucky," she tells TODAY.com. "What a wonderful life I've had."

Darby Bovees of Murrieta, California, is a World War II veteran who recently went viral when she shared her story with creator Kara Lewis on Instagram.

Ella Darby Bovees during her time in the Navy. (Courtesy Steve Bovees)

She told Lewis that she joined the Navy at 23 years old in 1943. The day she left for bootcamp, she met the woman who became her best friend for 81 years. She passed away in 2025. "She was a wonderful friend," Darby Bovees says.

The centenarian also met her husband while she was enlisted and went on to have three children. Her family now includes 25 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren .

While in the Navy, she worked as a bookkeeper in a bakery and was the only woman in her office. Afterward, she became a school bus driver. "The kids could be naughty, or they could be nice," she joked to Lewis.

These days, Darby Bovees lives with her stepson, Steve Bovees, and his wife. She enjoys going out to eat, dancing and riding in the car, he tells TODAY.com.

Here are the viral sensation's simple tips for a long, happy life.

Stay Connected With Loved Ones

A mainstay in Darby Bovees' daily routine is calling her family, her stepson says.

She can't write as well anymore, so "she loves to call all her nephews and nieces and relatives, and she keeps in touch with them pretty well," he adds.

Research shows that saying connected with people and maintaining high-quality relationships can help people live longer and feel healthier, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ella and her family at her 100th birthday party. (Courtesy Steve Bovees)

Keep Your Brain Active

Despite her age, Darby Bovees is "sharp as a tack," her stepson says. And it's no coincidence that she devotes time every day to playing challenging iPad puzzle games and cards.

"She's always learning new card games ... and she'll beat us half the time," Bovees explains as his stepmom laughs.

Certain types of online games have been linked to decreased dementia risk, especially those that require the brain to process information quickly, TODAY.com previously reported.

Start Your Day With a Healthy Breakfast

Asked what an average day looks like for her, Darby Bovees says she always has breakfast, thanks to her stepson. "Steve always has it ready for me," she says.

Her favorite breakfast foods include shredded wheat, oatmeal and yogurt. Although, occasionally she treats herself to extra crispy hash browns with lots of ketchup and sour cream.

Darby Bovees lives with her stepson, Steve, and his wife. (Courtesy Steve Bovees)

Oatmeal is considered one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat, TODAY.com reported, thanks to its high fiber content and the nutritious toppings you can add, such as seeds, fruit and nuts. Shredded wheat is also high in fiber, and yogurt is high in protein and probiotics.

Have Hobbies

One of the hobbies Darby Bovees has stuck with all these years is collecting teddy bears. She also loves listening to a wide range of music and dancing. Hobbies have been shown to improve mental well-being and reduce stress, which can have a host of physical benefits, like lower chronic disease risk.

She also goes to church every week and used to teach Sunday school. "I just feel closer to the Lord and have a wonderful feeling when I'm there," Darby Bovees says.

Keep Your Space Tidy

The 104-year-old loves her room and takes care of her space by herself, save for some assistance with vacuuming.

"She dusts everything and keeps up with it," Bovees says.

Eat Lots of Peanut Butter

Darby Bovees' absolute favorite food is peanut butter, especially Skippy. She eats it out of the jar with a spoon.

Ella Darby Bovees with her custom teddy bear from Skippy. (Courtesy Steve Bovees)

Her viral video established her reputation as a PB lover and led Skippy to sponsor her upcoming hip-hop themed 105th birthday party. The company also donated over 1,200 jars to Circle of Ministries Food Pantry in her name, in addition to a teddy bear and favors for the party.

Darby Bovees says she can't dance for long periods anymore, but she plants to hit the floor at her shindig. "I'll get up there and twirl around!" she says.