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Zoey Zhang

A 93-year-old school principal in South Korea who is known for her radiant skin, sharp mind and tireless passion for work, has shared tips for staying youthful.
A recent video from Gachon University in Seongnam, a city in the country’s most populous province of Gyeonggi, has gone viral for highlighting its president, Lee Gil-ya.
Born in 1932, Lee speaks confidently about artificial intelligence, showcasing both insight and energy.

Lee has often made headlines for her age-defying youthful appearance.
In 2023, she danced with students at a university festival, earning loud cheers from the crowd.
In an interview with Chosun Daily, Lee said her secret to staying young is “consistently doing very ordinary things”.
She sticks to a strict routine, avoids alcohol and smoking, drinks tea instead of coffee, and makes sure to stay hydrated by consuming 1.5 litres of water a day.
A humidifier runs constantly in her room.

“Avoid stimulants and do not stress too much,” said Lee.
She also receives regular laser treatments at a dermatology clinic.
As a child, Lee saw many poor people die without proper medical care, which inspired her to become a doctor.
Online sources show that she graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine and later studied in the United States and Japan.
In 1958, she opened a gynaecology clinic and introduced a no-deposit policy to support patients who could not afford treatment.

Known for her care and attention, Lee would warm her stethoscope with body heat to avoid startling patients with cold metal.
She often reminded young doctors and students to “treat patients with your heart and practise medicine with compassion”.
One of South Korea’s first female doctors, Lee founded Gil Hospital in 1978 and later opened Gachon Medical School at the age of 65, offering free tuition and housing.
She went on to merge several schools into Gachon University, where she has served as president since 2012.
Now leading the country’s largest public interest foundation, Lee is known for her charitable work, including free heart surgery for 432 children from 17 countries and free uterine cancer examinations for women.

In 2013, Forbes named her one of Asia’s 48 “Heroes of Philanthropy”.
Lee has never married and has no children.
“My patients and students are my husband and children,” she said.
Lee’s story has resonated on social media.
One online observer said: “We should learn from Lee. Those who live selflessly stay forever young, both inside and out.”
Another person wrote: “Her real achievement is not just looking young. Born in a time when women were expected to marry, she chose education, built hospitals, and devoted herself to teaching. That is truly inspiring.”


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‘Secret to eternal youth’: Korean school principal, 93, shares tips for staying young

A 93-year-old South Korean school principal has shared  her tips for staying young and healthy. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Naver


Lee Gil-ya, 93, could easily be mistaken for a woman half that age. Photo: 163.com

Lee as a young child. The now school principal and philanthropist was born in 1932. Photo: 163.com

Lee, second from left, pictured with colleagues when she was a young doctor. Photo: 163.com

As well as South Korea, Lee studied in Japan and in the United States. She has never married. Photo: 163.com

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Sun Minghui, who won a bronze medal in the contest, was the oldest person taking part. Photo: ctdsb.net

Sun follows a strict training regime and pays close attention to what she eats to stay fit. Photo: ctdsb.net

Sun on her bicycle. The 71-year-old set a Guinness World Record with her teammates by cycling across China. Photo: ctdsb.net

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He says images like the one above can help women who suffer from insomnia and fatigue from overwork. Photo: 163.com

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News

People & Culture

Clean-living, single nonagenarian with no kids stays forever young by ‘doing ordinary things’, says patients, students are her ‘husband and children’


Clean-living, single nonagenarian with no kids stays forever young by ‘doing ordinary things’, says patients, students are her ‘husband and children’.


South Korea

Beauty

Health & Fitness

‘Secret to eternal youth’: Korean school principal, 93, shares tips for staying young

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Clean-living, single nonagenarian with no kids stays forever young by ‘doing ordinary things’, says patients, students are her ‘husband and children’

Clean-living, single nonagenarian with no kids stays forever young by ‘doing ordinary things’, says patients, students are her ‘husband and children’