Henry Tseng

BIOGRAPHY

Henry Tseng was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, on 12 July 1907. He was of Chinese descent. He built a successful business while living in Shanghai and Hong Kong before emigrating to the United States with his wife, Annie, in 1975. Henry was a dedicated member of Rotary International for over 42 years.

His wife, Annie (23 August 1912 – 8 June 2013), died at the age of 100.

In the 1950s, while living in Hong Kong, he and his wife, Annie, invited a yoga master to their home to teach them the practice. He joined the YMCA in 1978, and even in his 80s, he could still perform headstands. Until the age of 102, Tseng attended the 6:30 AM adult fitness class three times a week. Well into his 90s, he drove himself to these sessions until his family had to intervene and ask him to stop.

Tseng believed that his secrets to staying fit were simple and accessible to anyone. He maintained that success came from following a consistent daily exercise routine and maintaining a positive mindset. One of his key pieces of advice was about diet. He avoided junk food and lived by the saying: Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. His lunches varied between Chinese, Italian, and Mexican cuisine, with the occasional visit to McDonald’s.

Even at 111, he remained active—pedaling on a recumbent bike for half an hour, practicing yoga poses from his wheelchair, and strengthening his grip by squeezing stress balls.

Henry Tseng passed away at UCLA Ronald Reagan Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on 27 February 2019, at the age of 111 years, 230 days. He was survived by his daughter, Linda Hsia, son-in-law, Victor, grandson, and two great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Tseng became the oldest living man in the United States after the passing of 112-year-old Richard Overton on December 27, 2018. Following Tseng’s death, CP Crawford assumed the title.

His age has not been validated.

ATTRIBUTION

* Annie Tseng Obituary – Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2013

* “Meet the 111-year-old who still hits the gym: LA centenarian insists he still feels ‘great’ ” – Daily Mail Online, 13 September 2018

* Henry Tseng Obituary – Los Angeles Times, March 2019

GALLERY

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