The secret to a long life might be simpler than anyone imagined, according to twins in France.
As AFP reports, Simone Thiot and Paulette Olivier turned 104 on Jan. 30 after being born prematurely in 1912. The odds of survival were slim for the twins, but they pulled through together. They said their close relationship has been the key to their longevity.
"We are still alive because we have always stayed close," one of the twins told AFP. "We keep our independence -- each of us has her own room -- but we only need to cross the corridor to see and talk to each other."
Thiot and Olivier, who live in a retirement home in Onzain in Central France, also said they have lived "a simple life -- no excess" with no alcohol and "lots of sport."
"We did gymnastics for a long time, and a huge amount of cycling -- almost every day," they said.
AFP reports that though it is not official, Thiot and Olivier are "the likely holders" of the title of oldest twins in France. In January, they celebrated their birthday with some sweet gifts: flowers from other retirement home residents and the local council in France.
"We're being very spoiled," one of the twins said.
Only last year, the world's oldest twin brothers, Pieter and Paulus Langerock of Belgium, also credited their closeness with their long lives. The brothers, who turned 102 last year, noted that they, too, are always together.
H/T The Independent
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