If you want a life as long as the remarkable Mary Davidson Smith's, you need to enjoy it!

Mary Davidson Smith celebrated her 105th birthday in style by receiving 105 birthday cards from around the world (Picture: Care UK)placeholder image
Mary Davidson Smith celebrated her 105th birthday in style by receiving 105 birthday cards from around the world (Picture: Care UK) | PA Wire

Mary Davidson Smith has now received birthday greetings from both King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth

In 1921, the first-ever international women’s sporting event, the Women’s Olympiad, was held in Monte Carlo; a new-born child became the first person in the world to receive the BCG vaccination against tuberculosis; the magician PT Selbit performed the first recorded example of the ‘sawing a woman in half’ trick; and, in Korea, a baby was born.

After living through the Second World War, the Swinging Sixties, the Cold War and more, Mary Davidson Smith has just celebrated her 105th birthday at a care home in Edinburgh.

Over the years, she has lived in various countries, including Canada and the US, and, fittingly, she received 105 birthday cards from around the world to mark her very special occasion. She is also one of the few people to have received a card from both the late Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.

Asked for her secret to long life, she said: “I enjoy it.” That may sound overly simplistic, but there is some evidence of a link between ‘surgency’ – having a positive outlook – and living to a ripe old age. So pay heed to Mary, she clearly knows what she’s talking about.

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