What is the real secret to a long and full life—genetics, luck, or discipline? The remarkable story of Emma Morano, an Italian woman born in 1899 who lived to the age of 117, suggests that the answer may lie in unexpected places.

A Life Across Three Centuries

Emma’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. She lived through two world wars, witnessed the arrival of the telephone, television, and even the internet. Her story is not just about personal longevity, but also about being a living bridge between eras—a witness to more than a century of history and transformation.

A Diet That Defied Logic

In a world where we are constantly told to eat green juices, balanced meals, and plenty of vegetables, Emma followed a very unusual routine for most of her life:

• Three eggs a day: two raw for breakfast, and one cooked as an omelet for lunch.
• Light dinners: usually just a bit of chicken.
• Fruits and vegetables: almost never.
• Small indulgences: later in life, she pared her diet down to two eggs, a few crackers, and a glass of homemade herb-infused grappa.

Her egg habit started after World War I, when a doctor recommended it to combat anemia. Emma stuck to this regimen faithfully for nearly a century.

More Than Food: Character and Determination