Two 109-year-old Best Friends Share Their Secrets To A Long and Happy Life After 80 Years of Friendship

Nov 06, 2026 by apost team

Some friendships last a lifetime. For Velma Long and Dorothy Boggess, that lifetime has now stretched across more than eight decades, the aftermath of two world wars, countless family milestones and 109 birthdays each.

The two women first met during the Roosevelt administration when they joined the workforce as typists in the War Department during World War II. Boggess recalled arriving in Washington, D.C., without knowing anyone, making the opportunity to meet Long even more meaningful.

"It was very exciting," Boggess told The Washington Post. "I didn't know anyone at all in Washington, D.C."

What began as a workplace friendship grew into a lifelong bond. The women supported each other through double dates, weddings, and years spent raising their families. Their husbands also became close friends, making their relationship something both households shared.

"My husband loved her husband," Boggess said of Long. "We spent a lot of time together and traveled everywhere."

Over the decades, they built a collection of memories that few friendships get to experience. They also watched many people they once held dear pass away, making their continued companionship all the more remarkable.

"We've both lost so many close friends," Boggess told the publication. "It's amazing that we're still functioning."

Now both 109, Long and Boggess have become an inspiring example of friendship that has endured through nearly every stage of life. When asked about the secret to their longevity, Long was careful not to give everything away. Still, she offered a few habits that have helped them along the way, including the importance of taking care of their health.

But their advice goes beyond what they eat or how often they exercise. For Long, one simple quality has played an even bigger role in finding happiness. 

Speaking to CBS News, Long said that maintaining healthy routines has been an important part of their lives. Exercise and eating well are among the habits she and Boggess still value, though she joked they wouldn't reveal every detail of their longevity formula.

"The people want to know some of our secrets," Long said. "I say, well, we can't tell every little thing."

Beyond their daily habits, the two women have also had something many people spend a lifetime searching for: a friendship that has remained constant through changing circumstances, family milestones and loss.

For Boggess, that life has included a remarkable personal and professional journey. Born in 1917, she became one of the original five African American "War Girls" working in a typing pool for the War Department in 1941, according to the Ward 4 Senior Social Hub.

She met George Boggess that same year, and they married in 1942. Their 74-year marriage took them around the world and was centered on serving their family, church and community. George lived to 104. Together, they raised their son, Kenneth, and became grandparents to Kendra and Kenneth George.

Boggess later spent 10 years at the Department of Defense before working as a social worker and vocational rehabilitation counselor.

Earlier this year, the Ward 4 Senior Social Hub also recognized Boggess as a "deserving woman," celebrating her contributions to the Washington, D.C., community. She also received an honorary doctoral degree from Kentucky State University.

Through all those years and experiences, Long believes one quality has remained essential to living well: kindness. She told CBS News that being kind to other people is the ultimate secret to finding happiness.

For two women who have spent more than 80 years showing up for each other, that advice carries a lifetime of meaning.

apost.com

What can you say about Velma and Dorothy’s friendship? Do you have a secret to living a long and happy life? Is it good health, meaningful friendships, or simply being kind to others? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones out there!

Please follow this link to see their full story on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPBKj5oQQf0