- Dr. Howard Tucker is 101 years old and currently teaches medical students at an Ohio University.
- He is close with his grandson, who is making a documentary based on his life and career.
Neurologist Dr. Howard Tucker is 101 years old and still lives life to the fullest: He holds the world record for being the oldest practicing doctor, and just got a new teaching gig at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, he told Insider on a video call.
His grandson, Austin Tucker, 26, grew up observing his grandfather's desire to continue learning, to have new experiences, and his remarkable drive — which once led him to sneak out of the house, to his family's dismay, aged 98 to treat patients with COVID.
Now, Austin Tucker, who speaks to his grandpa almost every day — often helping him navigate tech issues — is producing a documentary about his life and 75-year-long career.
"We hope that this movie will uplift and inspire people to invest in our seniors who sometimes are overlooked, but still have so much to contribute," he said.
Austin Tucker and his team are fundraising via a Kickstarter page to help get the film out as soon as possible to ensure that his grandfather will be able to see it.
Insider previously reported on Howard Tucker's keys to a long life, which include staying interested in the world around you and keeping a youthful mindset. He also acknowledged that genetics probably play a role in his prolonged cognitive health and sharpness.
Austin Tucker said that he learns something new from his grandfather every day and tries to apply those lessons to his own life in the hope of living as long and as happily.
Austin Tucker shared his three biggest takeaways from having Howard Tucker as his grandfather with Insider.
Keep learning and don't give up
At the age of 67, Howard Tucker passed the bar exam and became a lawyer, while still practicing medicine full time, simply because he was interested in it, Austin said.
Even now, his grandfather struggles with technology but is willing to learn and continue trying to understand new things, he said.
Research suggests that having this trait could be linked to longevity. A small study that looked at the personality traits of 70 centenarians and 1,812 elderly people, found that openness and conscientiousness were associated with living longer.
Austin Tucker said that noticing his grandfather's mindset to conquer challenges, and not let them get in his way, has been "huge" for him.
"If he's gonna do something, he's gonna go a hundred percent," he said.
Hate is pointless
Austin Tucker has learned from his grandfather that holding hatred in your body does more harm to you than anyone else.
"When you get upset with someone, you hate someone, you feel angry towards someone, you feel it physically how that can impact you. And it's not doing anything to the other person," Austin Tucker said.
Howard Tucker has been married to his wife, who is a psychiatrist, for 66 years, and said that the key to a lasting marriage is compromize and recognizing that you are both individuals.
"If you're wrong, admit it. If you're right, shut up," Howard Tucker said.
And it seems he's on to something, with research suggesting that having good relationships lowers the risk of dying, regardless of age, and can even help reduce the physical aches and pains that come with aging.
Everything in moderation
Howard Tucker's attitude towards lifestyle is "everything in moderation," except for cigarettes, his grandson said. He said that his grandfather doesn't believe in extreme measures, whether they're positive or negative.
"No fad diets, no special workout routines, it's just everything in moderation. If you're in the mood for a steak dinner, don't make it a daily habit," Austin Tucker said. It is important to exercise, but you don't have to go overboard.
Insider previously reported that Howard Tucker runs two to three miles on a treadmill a few times a week, and that his diet consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, and fish, with the occasional martini and spot of ice cream.
Exercising and eating well, along with getting enough sleep, minimizing stress, and avoiding risky behaviors like binge drinking, reflect the findings of a recent study suggesting that simple habits like these can add decades to your life.