Giorgio Armani worked into his 90s — and three science-backed habits might explain his impressive lifespan.
Born in Italy on July 11, 1934, Armani was the founder and CEO of the Armani company, which spans haute couture and ready-to-wear to hotels, homeware, and flowers.
He died on Thursday, and "worked until his final days, dedicating himself to the company, the collections, and the many ongoing and future projects," the Armani company said in a statement.
In his last interview, Armani told the Financial Times that his greatest weakness was his inability to relinquish control.
The billionaire fashion designer was remotely approving details, including watching fittings and models' make-up, when, in a career-first, he was unable to attend three fashion shows in June and July due to illness.
"Everything you will see has been done under my direction and carries my approval," Armani told the publication.
Although luck and genetics are thought to play a large role in how long a person lives, longevity doctors would likely give Armani's daily routine and work ethic a gold star.
Giorgio Armani said 'work is the best medicine'
Armani worked in fashion for 50 years and credited his work as a lifeline.
"Work is the best medicine," he told the Wall Street Journal in 2024, when he was 90.
He experienced some undisclosed health problems that summer, but said: "as soon as I started working again, I felt better."
Heidi Tissenbaum, a cancer biology professor who researches healthy lifespans, previously told Business Insider that keeping our minds active is key to longevity. One 2023 study, for example, found that the healthy centenarians they interviewed were intellectually active and focused on the positives in life.
And while mental stimulation can't prevent the brain from aging, evidence suggests it can help build resilience against Alzheimer's disease symptoms such as forgetfulness.
Armani ate a nutritious, balanced diet
Armani stuck to a "healthy and balanced diet" — his favorite food was pasta pomodoro — and bent the rules every now and then, he told Harper's Bazaar in 2012.
A typical breakfast was coffee, toast, and jam with fresh fruit and yogurt. "The same as what I ate when I was a child," he said. He typically had a light lunch, fruit as an afternoon snack, and drank a lot of water as well as cold and hot herbal teas.
For dinner, he would bring together simple ingredients like mozzarella, tomatoes, chicken or fish, he told Harper's Bazaar in 2016.
His diet mirrors the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on whole foods, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein sources. Research suggests that it's the best eating plan for longevity and lowers the risk of several chronic diseases, including type two diabetes, cancer, and dementia.
Armani exercised daily
Up until at least November 2016, Armani, who would have been 82 at the time, exercised every morning. He started by walking outside or on a treadmill for 30 minutes before doing some aerobics and weight exercises, then finishing with stretches, Harper's Bazaar reported.
Staying physically active as we age is linked to a lower risk of early death and chronic disease. Dozens of healthy, mobile older people Business Insider has interviewed incorporate movement into their daily routine.
