Mr. Morrie Markoff, a rare blogger who lived over a century and remained sharp-minded after 11 decades, passed away on June 3 at his home in Los Angeles, at the age of 110.
His daughter, Judith Markoff Hansen, confirmed that her father had suffered two strokes in recent weeks, The New York Times reported on June 11.
Mr. Morrie Markoff passed away at the age of 110. (Photo: Family provided).
As the oldest person in the United States, Mr. Markoff’s brain has been donated for research on “super-agers”—individuals in their 70s and 80s who possess physical fitness and memory capabilities comparable to those 20-30 years younger.
The geriatric research team in Los Angeles has identified over 150 cases worldwide of individuals aged 110 and older, similar to Mr. Markoff. His brain, exceeding the “super-ager” threshold, will provide valuable insights for research, according to Tish Hevel, the executive director of a nonprofit brain donation project in Naples, Florida.
“One in five people has a disease related to neurological disorders; some of these illnesses develop in late life. Scientists can discover many things from Mr. Markoff’s brain to formulate methods for maintaining health in old age. That is an incredible gift he has given us,” Hevel expressed.
Mr. Markoff celebrated his 109th birthday with family at home. (Photo: Steve Lopez/Los Angeles Times).
The secret to Mr. Markoff’s longevity is believed to be his regular walking routine. He and his late wife, who lived to 103, would regularly hold hands and walk 5 kilometers a day at age 90 to enhance their physical and mental health.
His daughter added that her father maintained a simple diet, rarely consuming alcohol or bottled water.
Mr. Markoff was known not only for his remarkable longevity but also for his unusual mental acuity at his age. Until the last months of his life, he kept the habit of reading the The Los Angeles Times every morning, discussing the war in Ukraine and other global events, while sharing his life stories on his personal blog.
“My father believed he would continue living as long as he maintained his daily activities,” Hansen shared.
Mr. Markoff and his wife. (Photo: The Guardian).
Born in New York on January 11, 1914—approximately six months before World War I—Mr. Markoff’s early life was humble. His father was a fine wood craftsman, and his mother sold kitchenware. The family of six (husband, wife, and four children) lived in an apartment of just over 400 square feet, infested with mice and bedbugs, lacking a wardrobe, hot water, or a private restroom.
Throughout his life, he held various jobs, ranging from working in a vacuum cleaner manufacturing company to the defense industry, and even starting his own business. He also had a passion for photography and sculpture, having held his first solo exhibition in Los Angeles at the age of 100.
In terms of marital life, he and Betty Goldmintz were together for 81 years until her passing in 2019. In an article in The Guardian seven years ago, both stated that they had no secrets to their enduring marriage. It all boiled down to three factors: generosity, respect, and luck.
