99-year-old Decatur woman stays vibrant through water aerobics

DECATUR, Ala. — At 99 years old, Magdalena “Maggie” Martin has a simple prescription for staying vibrant: keep moving.

Martin, a California native, who now lives in Decatur, has witnessed wars, discrimination, 17 presidential administrations, eight children, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. And she’s still going strong, attending water aerobics classes three times a week, crediting the exercise with maintaining her physical and mental health.

“If it wasn’t for aerobics, my legs would be gone. I’d be in a wheelchair,” Martin said. “But I do all those exercises, and it works.”

Her daughter, Mary, agrees that swimming has been transformative for her mother. “She stays busy. I’m amazed at how sharp she is. She remembers things way, way back — much more than I do,” Mary said.

Shannon Oakley, executive director at Brookdale Cedar Springs where Martin resides, expressed admiration for her resident’s dedication. “Every time I see her, she is just always doing something. When I found out she was 99, I was absolutely amazed that she goes swimming no matter what the weather.”

Martin’s commitment to exercise goes back decades. “I’ve been swimming since I was five years old because that’s all we could do in those days,” she said.

Beyond the physical benefits, Martin has found joy in the social connections. “She’s made a lot of good friends,” her daughter noted. Martin herself hopes to inspire others, advising fellow residents, “If they can do it, go, because there’s nice ramps and I would love company.”

With her 100th birthday approaching in November, Martin is set to join a rare group. According to the Social Security Administration, fewer than 800 people in Alabama reach this milestone, representing just 0.027% of the population in the United States.

As she looks forward to her centennial, Martin remains a testament to the power of staying active and engaged.