It is not often we get the chance to interview someone with this much life experience and life impact. Deborah Szekely is the Brooklyn-born daughter of immigrant parents — her father was in the garment business, her mother a nurse and vice-president of a New York vegetarian society. To escape the Depression, the family moved to Tahiti in 1930 where they lived until 1935. Deborah married her husband Edmond Szekely, a renowned health researcher, philosopher and author, in 1939 at age 17. In 1940, Deborah and her husband founded Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Visitors paid $17.50 per week, and were asked to bring their own tent and help with the chores. In 1959, Deborah also opened the famous Golden Door, in Escondido, California.
In 1984, in her late 70s, at an age when most of her contemporaries were retired, she saw a glaring need and initiated The Congressional Management Guide, now in its 17th printing, to help incoming congress people orient themselves and their staff to their new jobs.
Deborah lectures and continues to work two days a week at Rancho La Puerta. Her lively and humorous weekly talks to gatherings of Ranch guests explore the principles of living the longer, healthier life and advocating health reforms in American communities. Deborah’s propensity to be a night owl continues, with her still working late into the night.
The Ranch is an extraordinary place, demonstrated by the fierce loyalty of the people who go there: over 70% are return guests, and many have visited dozens of times. It has received hundreds of awards over its 82 years, including Travel + Leisure magazine Readers’ Poll “World Best Destination Spa”, and Condé Nast Traveler’s Best in Mexico.
What is one life tip you’d like to share?
Can I share three?
First, do good! If you’re hurting people, you’re hurting yourself. It’s a law of nature. We’re like plants; water us, and we thrive.
Second, surround yourself with people smarter than you. That’s where I got my education. Some of my friends today are still my role models and teachers.
Third, cultivate a few best friends. Support one another. A true friend is one you can call in the middle of the night, say “I need help!” and they will be at your side in minutes. True friendship involves loyalty. The friend becomes family… perhaps more than your own relatives.
“Instead of a bench or a plaque or a wrapped gift for my 100th birthday May 3 this year, I desired only trees”
What is the most amazing thing you have seen in your lifetime?
Again, I must say that there has been more than one. Every day after 100 is amazing. Of course, there have been more specific examples. My husband was burned terribly and not expected to recover, but he did. On a happier note, I shook the hand of Eleanor Roosevelt, a great lady I could not have admired more. For sheer beauty, seeing the forest in Mexico where millions of monarch butterflies from North America spend the winter.
Do you still have any life goals? If so, what?
I’m concerned about climate change’s effect on Tecate in Baja California, and I’m euphoric over our plan to launch a “green umbrella” tree-planting campaign there. Instead of a bench or a plaque or a wrapped gift for my 100th birthday May 3 this year, I desired only trees. It’s a gift that has no end in sight, for it will grow and grow, and cool Tecate for many years to come.
Your roots in good health began with your parents. What lessons did you learn from them?
Just about everything. Truly! Foremost, I learned how important relationships are to happiness and health. My parents never ever argued, and we had friends galore. They were always a little bit different, which was fine. We had no money, so we made friends instead. Mom started a vegetable garden wherever we lived, and my job was to deliver extra vegetables to neighbors. For example, we lived in Marin County when we returned from Tahiti, and we became part of the community quickly.
“I learned how important relationships are to happiness and health”
Mom was a health nut and was a registered nurse at People’s Hospital in Brooklyn. She said it was “a place where everyone came to die,” so she set out to live her life, and our family’s lives, with good health a priority. She truly had an exercise routine. I watched her do old-fashioned calisthenics. They were old-fashioned back then, but they worked, and she had a great figure. She loved hiking, and always joined a hiking club whenever we moved. In summer we would go to different health camps in Mexico or Southern California. That was her summer community.
I learned to be an independent thinker because of my mom’s commitment to her children’s healthy diet. I was miserable in school when I came back to the US from living in Tahiti because all my schoolmates liked to share their sandwiches at lunch hour; they would exchange halves. No one would exchange a half with me because mine was on germinated wheat bread with peanut butter — or something equally healthy. I began to sit on a separate bench with the outliers in class. I wasn’t going to sit with the sharers anymore! That was the beginning of my independent thinking.
What is your “secret” to longevity?
While I’ve probably (and only probably) done the right things when it comes to food, sleep, and exercise, I would say my foremost “secret” to longevity has been my Pollyanna attitude. My life has been stressful and uncertain at times, but I just know and believe that things will work out, and they usually do. I often say: Do right, eat right, move right, sleep right, think right. I do not worry; I just do my best.
“Beware of what I call ‘The Smidgens’ “
How can we all live healthier, happier lives, no matter what age?
If I had to name one major action you can do, it’s this: beware of what I call “The Smidgens.” If you add one little packet of artificial sweetener to your tea every day, those little “smidgens” someday add up to a dump truck full of smidgens. And so it goes with any smidgen that can be bad for you. They add up.
Another: When you wake up, don’t pop right out of bed. Instead, spend 10 minutes feeling blessed and grateful for all the gifts that you have been given. Get your day started on the right foot.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My three lifetime achievements of which I am most proud are: my daughter, Sarah Livia Szekely Brightwood, who now manages Rancho La Puerta and is doing a wonderful job; the publication of Setting Course: A Congressional Management Guide, a how-to manual for freshman US legislators; and third, the creation of The Ranch and Golden Door.
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The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.
Wow, that is just awesome! 100 and still going at it every day.
I am going to share this with my grown children – the wisdom of elders is a precious gift. Thank you for this interview. Brava, Deborah!
How inspiring! What a true role model: someone who looks outward, gives back tenfold, cherishes those many things that we do actually control – our eating habits, our exercise habits, and our inclusion of others. Thank you for this! (And, as well, thank for your own inclusion in this post of someone well beyond seventy!)
She’ll brilliant, present, and still giving and loving. I’d love her to be a guest in my home, as long as I get to sit next to her at dinner. Thank you, Deborah. You’re preaching to the choir. xo, Jim
What a true inspiration! Thanks for sharing such a great story.
I’ve been teaching a Yoga Specialty week once a year at Rancho La Puerta for almost 30 years. Each time I am so grateful to have dinner with Deborah. She has been an inspiration and role model to me since the day I met her. For her 100th birthday party she had over 2,000 friends honor her. What a legacy!
Excellent story! A true zest for life and living well. I love her Birthday present desire for more trees. Friends are so very important in our lives. What a gem, Deborah is.
Deborah you are a Master of Life no doubts. Thanks for sharing
What a gloriously inspirational lady. Thank you Deborah for sharing your wisdom and thank you David for the interview. The most inspiring post to date.
PURPOSE > pills
She is what’s possible for the rest of us. . .
Her life is her message.
Thanks for posting!
Patrick Roden
And I notice she stresses friendship as a top priority. Brilliant!
wow. So impressive and very interesting to see a woman of that age so alive and having project. That’s what I all the time say to myself and others friends. Having project, being happy it is secret for longevity. Thank you so much for this interview.
What an inspiring, beautiful woman. Her advice is so simple yet so profound. Thank you.
Deborah is the kind of person you want to be when you grow up. I’ve aspired to “Take the Ranch home” with me from my first visit in the mid 80’s, and the things I learned back then have taken be through 40 more years. Watching her leadership in San Diego for 40 years has been, and continues to be, an incredible inspiration!
Wow!!! What an inspiration she is. I love her birthday idea. We can always use more trees 🌳 in the world. I have never been to the Golden Door Spa but I’ve always wanted to. Many years ago I wanted to start a retreat and spa center along the coast, I wish I would have done it. I’m turning 60 this month, maybe I need to think about making my dream come true!
I met Deborah when she was 95 years old and spoke at the private club where I managed the pilates department. At the time she said she took pilates and worked out in the gym with a Navy Seal. Truly an inspiring woman! So glad you featured her.
Discovering Rancho La Puerta at age 50 was transformative in my life. I strive to keep the Ranch with me always. Deborah changed many lives for the better.