Most people when they approach their retirement They look forward to that day; what almost no one imagines is that this stage could last more than 50 years. This is the case of Paul, a man born in 1921 who, after a life of work and effort, was unexpectedly fired just five months before officially retiring, and who currently, at 104 years old, has been retired for more than half a century.
In 1975, while working at the Champagnole foundry, Paul was fired shortly before reaching retirement age. The factory was going to close permanently, and with that decision he not only lost his job, but was forced to begin his retirement without the expected farewell after decades of work. In exchange, as they point out from Le Progress, He received a compensation that marked the beginning of a long retirement that has now lasted 51 years.
Now 104 years old, Paul is possibly one of France’s retirees, leading a completely independent life in his own home.
The elderly lead a life without being dependent on external care
Far from living in a residence or completely depending on outside care, Paul still lives alone in his house, prepares his meals, runs the washing machine and goes shopping every week at the town market. His lifestyle, admired by those around him, defies any expectations about old age. Despite his age, he maintains a positive mood and a simple but active routine.
In 1995, a heart attack could have changed everything, but, thanks to the quick reaction of his son, who revived him with a bucket of cold water, Paul pulled through again.
And this time was not the only one that life tested him, and during his more than a century of life, he has gone through difficult situations. During World War II, he joined the Resistance, was captured in 1944, and spent several days without food in a prison in Germany. He was freed by American troops and returned to combat in Alsace before the end of the conflict.
His life, forged between duty and survival, has been guided by a simple principle: move forward with what you have. And as he himself states, “you need a lot of luck to reach 100 years old, I’ve had it, that’s all.”
In his town, Paul is a much loved figure, to whom both his neighbors, the mayor and the entire community show their affection and respect. So much so that on his 100th birthday they had a party.