Hollywood Legend Turns 101 — Once Shared Her Simple Secrets to Living a 'Good Life'

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Hollywood Legend Turns 101 — Once Shared Her Simple Secrets to Living a 'Good Life' originally appeared on Parade.

Eva Marie Saint celebrated a major milestone on Friday, July 4 — and no, we’re not talking about Independence Day. The beloved actress turned 101, marking yet another incredible chapter in her legendary life.

Saint has been a Hollywood icon for decades, starring in some of the most celebrated films of the ‘50s and ‘60s, including On the Waterfront, North by Northwest, Exodus and many more.

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Even in her later years, she made memorable appearances in Superman Returns and Because of Winn-Dixie. Though, largely retired from acting, she briefly returned to the spotlight in 2014 for a voice role in The Legend of Korra.

So, what’s her secret to such a long and fulfilling life? Ahead of her 100th birthday last year, she told PEOPLE she keeps things simple.

"I certainly don’t feel 100 years old," she said. "I continue to take walks out in the fresh air, like watching baseball — especially the Los Angeles Dodgers, and enjoy time with my family and friends. A good life.”

Her career began in the late 1940s, but it was her 1954 breakout role alongside Marlon Brando that earned her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Just days before the ceremony, she had given birth to her son, and could barely move — yet she still made it to the event.

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"If you ever see footage of me — when they announce my name — you can see me pause and wait a moment," she told the Santa Barbara Independent in 2010. "Jeff had his thumb on my thigh; I couldn’t get up. So I slowly walked up and said something like, 'I’m so excited I might have the baby right here.'”

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Saint was married to director and producer Jeffrey Hayden from 1951 until his passing in 2016 at the age of 90. The couple shared two children, Darrell and Laurette, as well as three grandchildren.

Last year, for her 100th birthday, Saint told PEOPLE she was celebrating surrounded by four generations of family.

“I’m looking forward to spending my 100th birthday in Los Angeles with my dear, dear family. Four generations of family members will be gathering together from Los Angeles, Chicago, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco,” she revealed.

As for this year’s celebration, Saint hasn’t made any public acknowledgments, but we can only imagine she’s doing what she loves most — enjoying time with loved ones and living a “good life.”

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Hollywood Legend Turns 101 — Once Shared Her Simple Secrets to Living a 'Good Life' first appeared on Parade on Jul 5, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.