A centenarian woman, Margaret Ham, is set to celebrate her 100th birthday soon. Despite being just days away from this remarkable milestone, Margaret, who hails from Basingstoke, continues to smoke 40 cigarettes daily, attributing her longevity to this habit. She also attributes her long life to a combination of cigarettes and marmalade consumption.
Margaret, who enjoys Yorkshire tea and other indulgences, remains active and independent, moving around her home with ease. Her granddaughter, Rachael Matthews, shared that Margaret is determined to keep smoking, emphasizing her strong will to continue her daily routine. Rachael highlighted Margaret’s love for rich, creamy milk with her tea, thick butter, and marmalade.
Despite the known health risks associated with smoking, Margaret remains committed to her lifestyle choices, especially after losing her daughter at age 52, who attempted a health kick. Rachael expressed her admiration for her grandmother’s resilience and uniqueness, urging people to send birthday cards to Margaret to make her special day even more memorable.
Rachael, who owns a dress shop in Basingstoke, emphasized Margaret’s independence and the importance of celebrating her remarkable journey to 100 years. She described Margaret’s daily routine, including their shared Sunday dinners and time spent with Margaret’s great-granddaughter, Megan.
Born in 1926 in Bristol, Margaret grew up during the war and later joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) at 18. After serving for two years, she moved to Kilburn, where she met her husband and raised her family. Rachael encourages well-wishers to send birthday cards to Margaret at her address in Basingstoke to surprise her on her special day.