What’s the key to a long, happy life? Hot dogs and chicken fingers.
Elaine Terry celebrated her 104th birthday Wednesday on the Upper East Side surrounded by friends and family.
As one of New York’s oldest residents, Terry attributes her long and healthy life to hot dogs, chicken fingers and love.
“My secret to living a long life is loving everyone. When I was younger, I went to churches, synagogues and mosques to learn about the different religions. It does not matter your race or religion, just love everyone,” she told The Post.
She’s also adamant about getting whatever she wants, whenever she wants.
“I eat when I am hungry — no one tells me what to do,” she said. Terry also makes sure to walk at least 1 mile a day.
Terry was born in 1918 in Ohio. She moved to New York City when she was 16 to pursue a career in show business.
She sang on the radio in the early days, belting out jingles for commercials and crossing paths with Joan Rivers and the Rat Pack.
“My grandmother is an amazing woman. She has lived a wonderful life and met so many people,” Terry’s granddaughter, Abigail Libby, told The Post.
Terry lived through the Spanish flu pandemic and contracted COVID-19 when she was 102, but nothing could keep her from hot dogs and chicken fingers.
Marilyn Terry, the longtime New Yorker’s daughter-in-law, has nicknamed her the “Energizer Bunny.”
“Grammy has incredible stamina. She has always been active and is a go-getter,” she told The Post. “She has a circle of friends and is up to date on the news of the day. She is an avid voter. She is very involved in life.”
The 104-year-old is nicknamed the Energizer Bunny by her family. Robert MillerTerry still lives a full life with the help of RiverSpring home-care services. Suzanne Duffy, RiverSpring at Home nurse care manager, told The Post that, “Elaine is an amazing testament to the power of positive aging and how important it is to have your independence as you grow older.”
And hot dogs, lots and lots of hot dogs.
