Yzabelle Bostyn
‘CHOCOLATE and whisky’ are the ‘secret’ to a long life, says 102 year-old British expat.
Dudley native Ivy Rhodes, born on February 11, 1921, has been living in Benalmadena for some 40 years, where she is now the oldest expat resident – and is about to turn 103.
She lives alone but has a thriving social life and is part of many clubs including Age Concern, Merry Go Round, Social Club and Eagles Club.
Ivy eats at the same restaurant every day, Domandas, and attributes her longevity to her unusual diet.
“I’m still here because I like whisky and chocolate. Milk chocolate bars,” she said.
The expat often enjoys her favourite tipple at Rincon Mary, her nearest bar.
Age Concern Benalmadena held a party for Ivy on Monday, February 5.
READ MORE: Want a long life in Spain? Eat these 4 foods from the age of 40 and upwards
The group meets every Monday in the Bonanza area of the town, where they play games and chat.
Ivy has been attending the meeting for many years since her move to the Costa del Sol.
She moved to the area after retiring from her job as an Administrator at Columbia Pictures, where she worked for some 11 years.
During her time working in London’s glitzy film industry, she developed a love for theatre and in particular, the actor Ivor Novello.
In the 1980s, she visited some friends who had bought an apartment in Benalmadena and fell in love with the area.
She quickly bought her own house and began living the expat dream.
Mayor Juan Antonio Lara and the Advisor for Foreign Residents, Presi Aguilera, also attended the party.
They were visiting as a part of a tour to local expat groups to learn more about their needs.
READ MORE:
- The oldest woman in Spain’s Andalucia dies at 110: Tributes pour in for ‘much-loved’ grandmother who loved to sing
- Oldest working painter in Spain dies at 111: Daughter reveals the secrets to his longevity – after he incredibly survived being shot in the head during the Spanish Civil War
- Spain’s supercentenarians: Deep dive into the lives of the oldest people in Spain
