The centenarian just renewed her driver’s license until 2033 and lives in her own house. © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
July 22, 2026, 8:04 AM EDT
Susan Young Browne – Search Videos born on April 24, 1918, in Lincoln, Delaware the 10th of 12 children to George and Susie Brown, Susan grew up in rural Delaware during the segregated education era, attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later graduated in 1945 – with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from what is now Delaware State University farmcountrytoday.com+2.
According to multiple reputable sources, including Delaware State University’s honors program and local news coverage, Mrs. Browne celebrated her 108th birthday on May 2, 2026, at a gathering in Dover, Delaware farmcountrytoday.com+1. She is recognized as the oldest living alumna of Delaware State University and the oldest living resident of Dover
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Her life story and longevity have been widely honored for her role as a “living bridge across generations” and her continued active lifestyle into her late 100s farmcountrytoday.com+1.
She lives independently in her own house in Dover, Delaware, Lives on Her Own Has 5 Simple Tips for a Long Life. She exercises every day and prizes her independence. “I take care of myself,” she says. “I read romance novels and enjoys dancing and socializing.”
Who Still Drives a Car and likes to drive her blue Subaru everywhere she needs to go. The centenarian has been driving for more than 80 years and just renewed her driver’s license until 2033, when she would be 115.
“In order for me to go to the store, I have to drive,” Browne tells TODAY.com. “Anywhere I want to go, I have to drive. … I’m an experienced driver. I try to be very careful.”
Susan Young Browne with her trusty blue Subaru. © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
Browne had a huge 108th birthday party earlier this year with guests that included the governor of Delaware. Her son, Jim Young, 83, calls her “amazing” and strong. Her daughter, Lynnette Overby, 75, says she’s “quite something, and now she’s quite famous.” It seemed a world away from the farm where she was born on April 24, 1918, in Lincoln, Delaware.
She, her parents and nine siblings lived in a house that had no electricity or running water. Browne went to a segregated elementary school, where she admired her teacher and also became determined to become one herself. “One of the most important things that I had in mind was to get an education and be a teacher,” she said in an interview about her life.
Browne is the oldest living alumna of Delaware State University. © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
There were no free high schools for Black students in the area at the time, so the family had to pay to send her to Delaware State College High School, Overby says.
Browne went on to attend Delaware State University, graduating in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She’s DSU’s oldest living alumna.
The centenarian worked as a teacher for 30 years, starting in a one-room schoolhouse. She also helped her first husband run a bus business. Browne retired in 1977. She’s lived in her house for more than 70 years.
“I don’t know why I’m living so long. I’m just trying to take care of myself,” Browne says. Here is what to know about the centenarian and her tips for living a long life:
Keep Moving
Browne credits regular exercise as a big factor in her longevity. She starts every morning by getting on the floor and doing a 10-minute stretching, strengthening and balancing routine.
“Then I get up and stand against the wall and exercise my legs. I make sure my legs are exercised,” she says. “I can move better than he,” the centenarian confirms teasingly. “She does things I can’t do,” her son notes.
Browne exercising at home. © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
The exercises work — she walks without the need for a cane or a walker.
Browne also does chair dancing at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover, a gathering place for older adults where she drives herself three days a week.
Eat Healthy Food
The centenarian lists chicken and fruit as some of her favorite foods. She eats an apple most every day — a famously nutritious fruit that delivers fiber, and comes with benefits for heart health, diabetes, cancer, gut health, weight loss and inflammation.
She also enjoys peaches and blueberries — a dietitian’s pick for the healthiest berries.
Her morning menu includes a cup of black coffee, which has a positive impact on heart health and brain health, plus a frozen waffle and cranberry juice, her daughter notes.
Browne avoids fried foods — “of course, I like them, but I know I shouldn’t eat them, so therefore I don’t eat them,” she says.
She also doesn’t drink alcohol and skips sugar.
“I like sweets, but I just probably avoid them for my health,” she says. One exception is her 7UP cake, which she likes to make for family gatherings.
Browne doesn’t indulge in sugar often, but her 7UP cake is worth it, she says. © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
The formula works. At 108, Browne only takes one medication, a pill to control her blood pressure, Overby says. Longevity runs in her family — one of her sisters lived to be 103.
Be Independent
Browne was married twice and had no desire to remarry after her second husband passed away. “That’s right. I am not taking care of another man,” she says.
“I decided when I was left alone that I didn’t need anybody to take care of me, I take care of myself. So, in order to live a healthy life, you have to make up your own mind.”
Driving her car and living in her own home are important aspects of her self-reliance. “She very, very much wants to maintain her independence as long as she can,” Overby notes.
Keep Your Mind Busy
The centenarian likes to read, including romance novels. She also enjoys doing puzzles and word games, her son notes.
Browne continues to be active in the community — she goes to church, socializes at the Modern Maturity Center, and meets with members of her sorority, her daughter adds. She’s a life member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Alpha Pi Chapter.
. In this photo, she’s surrounded by family at her 108th birthday celebration. Browne, center, is an active member of her community in Dover, Delaware © Courtesy Lynnette Overby
The busy centenarian likes to stay on top of all the family get-togethers and other events she takes part in.
“She’s very organized,” her son says. “She always makes sure that wherever she goes, she has a little calendar.”
Expand Your Horizons
Alaska and Hawaii became U.S. states while Browne was a teacher, so she visited both, even going to Alaska twice.
She’s also traveled to Spain, Portugal, Brazil and other countries around the world.
“I enjoyed my trips,” she says. Her favorite place? “Hawaii. It’s beautiful there,” she notes.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
How to Build Healthy Habits to Improve Longevity and Healthspan – Search
Adopting consistent, research-backed lifestyle habits—covering diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and social connection—can significantly enhance both lifespan and healthspan.
Nutrition and Diet
Eating a nutrient-dense, plant-focused diet is strongly linked to longevity. Diets like the Mediterranean or Okinawan diet emphasize vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and healthy fats while limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats, which helps reduce chronic disease risk and supports cellular health Healthline+1.
Maintaining a healthy weight and staying hydrated (2.7–3.7 liters of water daily) also supports organ function and slows biological aging 
Physical Activity
Regular exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and metabolic function. Aim for 450–750 minutes of moderate activity per week, including aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility work
Sleep and Recovery
Quality sleep of 7–9 hours per night enhances cognitive and physical recovery, supports immune function, and reduces inflammation
Stress Management and Mental Health
Chronic stress accelerates aging and increases disease risk. Practices like mindfulness, journaling, meditation, and deep breathing can lower inflammation and oxidative stress
Cultivating optimism, gratitude, and happiness also supports immune function and emotional resilience
Social Connection
Strong social relationships are linked to longer, healthier lives. Engaging with family, friends, and community provides emotional support, reduces stress, and encourages healthy behaviors 
Preventive Health and Consistency
Regular health check-ups, screenings, and preventive care help detect and manage conditions early, extending healthspan
Practical Tips for Habit Formation
- Start small: Introduce one habit at a time to ensure sustainability.
- Set clear goals: Use measurable targets for diet, exercise, and sleep.
- Track progress: Journaling or apps can reinforce consistency.
- Create routines: Anchor new habits to existing daily activities.
- Seek support: Engage friends, family, or communities for accountability.
By integrating these habits into daily life, individuals can increase both lifespan and healthspan, enjoying more years of vitality, independence, and well-being
How to build healthy habits to improve longevity and healthspan
108-Year-Old Centenarian Still Driving and Living Independently
Susan Young Browne, 108, renewed her driver’s license until 2033, continues to live alone, and credits daily exercise, a clean diet, and independence for her longevity 
Who She Is
Born April 24, 1918, in Lincoln, Delaware, Browne grew up on a farm without running water or electricity, attended a segregated elementary school, and later paid to attend Delaware State College High School because local high schools did not admit Black students at the time
Current Life
Now 108, Browne drives her blue Subaru everywhere she needs to go, having been behind the wheel for over 80 years
Health and Longevity Habits
Browne credits five key principles for her health 
- Move Every Day – She starts each morning with 10 minutes of stretching, strength, and balance exercises, then does wall-based leg workouts
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- Eat Clean – Her diet focuses on chicken, fresh fruit (apples, peaches, blueberries), and black coffee. She avoids alcohol, fried foods, and sugar except for occasional homemade 7UP cake
- Stay Independent – She refuses assistance with daily tasks, saying, “I take care of myself”
- Stay Social – She enjoys reading romance novels, doing puzzles, attending church, and sorority meetings
- Mindset – She believes making her own decisions and staying active in life are essential to longevity
Legacy
Browne’s story is a testament to resilience, self-reliance, and the power of consistent, healthy habits. At 108, she continues to drive, live independently, and share her “keep moving” philosophy with the world
Born in 1918, she was in Delaware during Segregation where she worked on a farm with her family – without water or electricity. Browne would eventually attend Delaware State College for Colored Students, today known as Delaware State University, and graduated in 1945. She then taught in a one-room schoolhouse, followed by other schools, for three decades.
Now 108 years old, Susan Young Browne works out three times a week, drives herself around town and starts every morning with an exercise routine she’s followed for decades. “When I get up in the morning, I have an exercise routine that I’ve been doing for the last 20 years,” she told CBS News. “When I retired – and I walked around that classroom for 30 years – I am not going to sit down.”
On the morning of her birthday, she went for a workout class. “You are the spotlight,” classmates cheered as Browne walked into the Modern Maturity Center – a place she’s been regularly attending since 1973. She was one of the center’s first members.
130 people attended her 108th birthday party, including Delaware’s Governor Matt Meyer. Best of all, she was courteously provided a parking spot right in front of the building. That’s important, because – as Browne told those assembled to celebrate her life – the state had just reissued her driver’s license until 2033. “OK, see you later,” Browne said before pulling away behind the wheel once again.
“I grow old gracefully,” said Susan Young Browne, who just received permission to keep driving until the age of 115.
That’s a testament to Browne’s enduring aptitude (and attitude) for life; having recently celebrated her 108th Birthday in Dover, Delaware.
Browne was in Delaware in 1918 during Segregation where she worked on a farm with her family—sans water or electricity. She would eventually attend Delaware State College for Colored Students, today known as Delaware State University, and graduate in 1945, going on to teach in a one-room schoolhouse (and elsewhere) for 30 years.
Married twice, she enjoys the company of a clan of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Nowadays, she can be found three times a week at the Modern Maturity Center where she enjoys group exercise classes. Staying active is a key to that graceful aging she talked about. You’ve Never Heard “Bridge Over Troubled Water” Like This.. — Timeless Memories