The Documentary Podcast13 Sep 2025

Would you want to live until 150?

During an unguarded conversation between President Putin and President Jinping in Beijing, the Chinese leader suggested that scientific developments meant that by the end of the century people might live until 150.

So, what is it like to live to an old age and will 150 years ever be possible?

We bring together two women in Australia, Janet and Myfanwy, with a combined age of 202. One of them still drives. The other stopped getting behind the wheel at 96.

They say they both enjoy busy lives. Janet at 102 doesn’t relish the thought of being 150 though: “Think how doddery and staggery you would be.” And Mwfanwy adds: “I don’t want to live forever!”

In another conversation, 87-year-old Elaine in the United States has this advice: “We’ve all been through difficult times, we’ve all had terrible things happen to us, but you just get past it, and you put one foot in front of the other and you just keep on going.”

We also hear from three distinguished researchers who discuss the reality of living a long life and the science of anti-aging.

This edition is from BBC OS Conversations, where we bring people together to share their experiences.

Presenter: Rahul Tandon BBC producers: Iqra Farooq, Akwasi Sarpong, Laura Cress and Ash Mohamed Boffin Media producers: Richard Hollingham and Sue Nelson

(Photo:An elderly man holding a walking stick. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

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