99-Year-Old Beautician Plans to Finally Retire on 100th Birthday

Did you know that, as of 2010, only 0.0173% of Americans live to see the age of 100? It’s a number that is, fortunately, going up–the figure could double by 2020–but that doesn’t mean that it’s not an incredible achievement!

As you can see, centenarians are few and far between in this country, but can you guess which group is even smaller? It’s folks nearing or over the age of 100 who are still working! As a matter of fact, this group is so small, there aren’t even any available statistics on it.

But slim statistics aside, we do know of one almost-centenarian who is still working, and even plans on continuing until she hits her 100th birthday. Her name is Callie Terrell and she is a beautician who has been a licensed cosmetologist since 1945!

The longtime Memphis resident and former beauty salon owner has been doing hair for the past 70 years, something that she continues to do because she has “enjoyed doing it all [her] life.”

Recently, a reporter from local news station WREG interviewed the almost-100-year-old beautician and even brought along cameras to capture Terrell working her magic.

In the interview, the Memphis hairdresser said that she originally chose to commence her career in the beauty industry after she realized her love for all things hair. Terrell says that she can remember loving to play with her now-deceased sisters’ hair, long before she became a licensed professional.

In her seven-decade career, Terrell says that she has outlived every single one of her original clients–not surprising considering the odds we just shared with you!

She does, however, still have a handful of longtime clients that she works on…but not for long. She is set to turn 100 in November, so pretty soon those faithful patrons will have to find another beautician.

Until then, Terrell says that she is just excited for her final time enjoying work life before she can finally hang up those clippers. That said, the beautician does say that it might take a while to get used to retired life.

I’m not used to just being up in the house,” Terrell told the news station. “You see, I worked so long, I’ve just been around people and doing something exciting. Most old people, they’re so dry and droll. I can’t deal with that. I gotta live and do the things that make me happy.”

Though it will be a change of pace, she does say that the idea of being more available and spontaneous excites her. “I just be waiting on somebody to call and say, ‘Callie, you busy?'” she said. “They say, we’re doing so and so, so I jump in the car and go. I just want to do something.”

This is one person who certainly earned her retirement! To meet the amazing Callie Terrell for yourself, be sure to watch the video below.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this amazing beautician! Do you know any elderly folks who are still working? Do you know any centenarians? Do you want to live until 100?