105-year-old credits gin-soaked golden raisins to beating coronavirus

Lucia DeClerck's 105th birthday on January 25 coincided with an unfortunate coronavirus diagnosis.

However, the New Jersey woman, who's survived a bout with Spanish flu and outlived three husbands along the way, promptly recovered in the 14 days she spent in a quarantine facility.

The oldest member at the Mystic Meadows Rehab and Nursing Centre has now survived two pandemics, and is sharing her health tips.

RELATED: Woman marks 100th birthday with drive-thru party: 'no way you can let a century go by'

DeClerck told CBS her secret to longevity is to "pray, pray, pray. And don't eat junk food."

But in an interview with The New York Times, she said one of her daily staple diet items - nine gin-soaked golden raisins - could have had something to do with overcoming the virus.

"Fill a jar. Nine raisins a day after it sits for nine days," she told the publication.

DeClerck was one of 62 residents of her aged care facility to have contracted the virus, with four tragically passing away from their symptoms.

RELATED: Woman, 90, walks 10km through snow storm conditions for coronavirus vaccine: 'I got one'

Granddaughter Shawn Laws O'Neil told CBS the rest of the family has taken up DeClerck's unique diet.

"Now all of us are rushing out and getting Mason jars and yellow raisins and trying to catch up," she said.

"The laugh is on us. She has beaten everything that's come her way."

The centenarian's resilience grabbed the attention of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who personally called her upon hearing she had recovered.

"He was very congenial," a staff member told CBS.

"He wanted to see how she was feeling, and he was so happy to see that she recovered well."

DeClerck was essentially asymptomatic during her coronavirus battle and had received the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine the day before she tested positive, according to Michael Neiman, the home's administrator.

When she was two years old, DeClerck was diagnosed with the Spanish flu while living in Hawaii.

Since then she has kept up a range of lifelong habits, including drinking aloe juice and brushing her teeth with baking soda.

For a daily dose of 9Honey, sign up here to receive our top stories straight to your inbox