Top 10 Famous People that are a Middle Finger to Mortality
Despite decades of chemical and physical abuse, the bodies of some people seem to regenerate - their bodies repair damages, completely ignoring the medical science, laws of physics and common sense. These people seem to metabolize things differently.Although substance abuse in usually involved, it's not limited to it. Bad eating habits, touring and insufficient sleep are also some of the factors.
Minimum age to be eligible: 65
People on this list are just some very lucky guys, so don't try anything they did because you might not be among the luckiest guys on the planet.
Keith Richards, one of the top people on this list, said that his longevity in the face of multiple drug abuse over decades was just luck, and advised others not to follow his lead.
But Keith Richards also said something that sums up the idea of this list: "I've no pretensions about immortality... I was number one on the Who's 'Likely To Die' list for 10 years. I mean, I was really disappointed when I fell off the list. Some doctor told me I had six months to live, and I went to their funeral."
Just so you know, there weren't as much chemicals nor pollution back when any of these people were growing up. Some now deceased relatives of mine have been smoking cigars when they were over 70. Smoking was much safer in those days. They put more chemicals in those products in recent years. That's probably why much more people are dying from them now then they did 40 plus years ago.
As of May 2018, Ozzy is 69 years old.
Ozzy even agreed to take part in medical research projects that analyzed his full genome to find out how he was still alive (Cofactor Genomics, Knome Inc.). Ozzy was the first rock star to have his full genome sequenced. Ozzy himself explained:
"I was curious. Given the swimming pools of booze I've guzzled over the years - not to mention all of the cocaine, morphine, sleeping pills, cough syrup, LSD, Rohypnol…you name it - there's really no plausible medical reason why I should still be alive. Maybe my DNA could say why."
But scientists didn't find the "Ozzy" gene - no particular evidence of his body's efforts to repair any damage. They found interesting things but not quite definitive - an unusual variant of alcohol dehydrogenase genes and evidence of Neanderthal lineage.
I know, I know, we've all heard the jokes, but what amazes me about Keith Richards is that, unlike many of his contemporaries, he still smokes and drinks on a regular basis. Apparently, the after-effects don't seem to bother him.
I submitted a very interesting item description with the submission of the list. It was 3-4 days ago but the description is still missing. I hate this. It happens too often to my item descriptions.
Update: 6 days ago
I think it may be beyond science to figure out how Keith Richards is still alive.
71 yo as of May 2018.
After decades of self-mutilation, self-destruction, heavy drug use and alcohol abuse, Iggy Pop still performs live at the age of 70+.
He is done with hardcore drugs though.
74 yo as of May 2018.
Everyone who was in the Rolling Stones can be on this list but Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are the front runners.
70 yo as of May 2018.
Another favorite rocker. And a bad guy.
He died at 70. R.I.P.
Chain smoking, whiskey and amphetamines. Lemmy had no family so his bad habits were unrestrained (he didn't want to get married). He was aware of the risks:
"Everything that is pleasant in life is dangerous. Have you noticed that? I'd like to find the bastard that thought that one up."
He is 77 yo as of May 2018.
He tried every drug he could find, including heroin. He admitted he was once a heroin addict.
He has been through rehab. He's also the guy who turned The Beatles on to pot.
70 yo as of May 2018.
Besides the things the other guys did, he took some additional risks, such as performing live with a real boa constrictor around his neck.
Surely it would be kinda dangerous for someone this old to be kicking it.
Over 90 years old and is still kicking it.
She got to live long enough until 2021.