Jimmy Hernandez, a great-great-grandfather from San Luis Obispo, California, marked his 100th birthday with a breathtaking adventure: skydiving.
Inspired years ago by former President George H.W. Bush’s skydives in his 80s and 90s, Hernandez finally decided it was his turn to leap.
“It wasn’t scary. I wanted to do this jump for some time,” he told TODAY.com. “I knew if something happened, it could be my last, but it came out pretty smooth.”
Some family members were surprised at his choice. His granddaughter, Vickey Hernandez Farley, admitted, “I thought he was a little crazy.” But after Jimmy jumped, his son and grandson joined in, turning it into a family celebration.
For the World War II veteran, it was the highest jump of his life—though he remembers leaping 18 feet into a Navy pool during training in his youth. “That was pretty high for me, but this is a little different,” he laughed.
And he’s already planning another skydive for his 101st birthday.
A Life of Hard Work and Faith
After serving aboard a destroyer tender in the Pacific during WWII, Hernandez became a carpenter. He started at 22 and worked until he was 91—nearly seven decades of labor.
Supporting 12 children meant long hours and side jobs, but he says his strength came from “help from up above” and his dedication to work.
“I worked hard all my life — very hard and many hours,” he explained. Even today, he still does occasional carpentry and maintains his home, often climbing ladders despite family warnings.
His Tips for a Long, Healthy Life
1. Live a Clean Life
Hernandez believes lifestyle choices matter most:
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Avoid smoking and excessive drinking.
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Don’t overeat or spend too much time sitting.
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Keep moving and take care of your body.
“You can’t just sit and watch TV. You’ve got to exercise,” he says.
2. Stay Active
His granddaughter believes his energy and constant activity are the secret to his good health. With five living generations in the family, she hopes she’s inherited those same strong genes.
Longevity runs in his blood. His mother lived to 90, and one of his aunts reached 102.
3. Enjoy Life’s Pleasures
Despite his discipline, Hernandez knows how to have fun. He’s loved dancing since he was a teenager and even danced at his 100th birthday party.
He enjoys cooking steaks, sipping the occasional shot of tequila, and never skips dessert. “I like peach pie, apple pie, and sometimes a donut,” he admits with a smile.
Above all, he keeps a positive mindset: “You’ve got to live positive. I think that’s the only way to go.”
4. Value Family and Love
Born in Escalon, California, to parents who immigrated from Mexico, Hernandez has been married to his wife Dora, now 91, for 57 years.
He is the father of 12 children, grandfather to 34, great-grandfather to 64, and great-great-grandfather to 24. His family gathers every year for reunions, and visits are frequent.
“Love people. That’s what my mom and dad taught us — to love and hug each other,” Hernandez says. “You’ve just got to enjoy life and respect others.”
The Secret to Longevity: Positivity and Purpose
At 100 years old, Jimmy Hernandez proves that age doesn’t have to limit joy or adventure. With a strong work ethic, a clean lifestyle, and deep family ties, he continues to live independently, stay active, and even chase thrills like skydiving.
As he looks forward to his 101st jump, his message is simple but powerful: work hard, love deeply, live clean, and always stay positive.