Darlene Love’s 85‑Year Secret to Staying Young

Darlene Love, the singer known for “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), ” is turning 85 on July 26. She recently promoted her new documentary and shared how she keeps feeling fresh at any age. She says the biggest trick is a positive attitude. “I love life! ” she told her interviewers, laughing that her energy sometimes makes family members feel like they’re in a dating show. Love’s career began with the 1960s girl group The Blossoms, backing legends such as Elvis and Frank Sinatra. She later hit the charts with her holiday single and earned a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame spot in 2011. Her talents also landed her roles on film and Broadway, from “Lethal Weapon” to “Hairspray. ”

Despite her age, she still performs in high‑heeled shoes and runs for a living. She wakes at 5 a. m. , does kickboxing, and even walks across the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in New York to stay active. Her routine emphasizes rest: six to eight hours of sleep, because a 90‑minute concert equals an eight‑hour workday in energy use. She believes that caring for the body is essential to feeling young. Love’s message is simple: keep moving, rest well, and enjoy what you do. She feels grateful to continue singing, a passion that fuels her vitality.

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