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Local woman shares secret of long life

Posted at 6:36 PM, May 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-09 08:27:13-04

A West Palm Beach woman more than a century old is sharing her story and her secret to living a long life.

Belle Roberts gets around her West Palm Beach retirement community, Tradition of the Palm Beaches, with a walker, but she shows no signs of stopping.

Most people think she is in her 70s, but she's 104 years old.

"I had to be very active and we had to do a lot of walking, because my parents never owned a car," said Roberts.

When she was born in 1911, William Howard Taft was President.

"I remember one day when my brother and my cousin and I walked 14 miles to see the man that I was going to marry.  We were engaged at the time," said Roberts.

She's outlived not one, but two husbands.

"I was married twice. The first man after 30 years he died. And the second one died after 30 years of marriage. I guess there is something," said Roberts.

Roberts  says her mother, who passed away at the age of 86, gave her good advice.

"She said take from life as much as you can. She always used to say that," said Roberts.

Also having good friends has helped her live a long life.

"Belle is hard not to notice. She has this positive energy and attitude. She is always smiling.  She's a good conversationalist, so I always like talking to her," said friend Greg Goodman.

Belle turns 105 years old on May 15.