Margaret Masters, a 99-year-old cancer survivor, may not come to mind when you think of Pitbull’s biggest fan. Margaret, on the other hand, can’t stop tapping her toes everytime she hears “Mr. Worldwide”!
Margaret first heard his song while attending a Silver Sneakers Zumba class in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began attending the sessions when she was “only” 90 years old, about a decade ago. She’s danced her way through cancer, a pandemic, and anything else life has thrown at her since then!
Although she has always liked dancing, she has just returned to it in order to keep active as she ages. She was fascinated from the first Zumba class she did with teacher Deana Lejarza.
“I was 90 years old when I first started practicing Zumba,” she explained. “I wanted to work out and dance. Dancing is the best enjoyment you can have. It keeps you active and your body running. It obviously has mine, because I can still do it when most people my age couldn’t. Everyone should be able to.”
When Deana learned Margaret’s age, she couldn’t believe it. Over time, she realized that age is only a number for the almost-centenarian, who continued to attend lessons even when they had to be held remotely owing to COVID-19.
Throughout the epidemic, Margaret never missed a beat, attending yoga, stability, and dance classes almost every day. Margaret’s excitement was evident for everyone engaged, even through Zoom.
“The moniker ‘Dancing Queen’ is a fantastic match for Margaret because when she steps into the Zumba class or joins the Zoom group, we know she’s ready to start dancing,” Deana said. “She’s a fantastic motivator for all of us, so if you don’t feel like doing out one day, you know Margaret will be there, so you have no excuse.”
Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and required surgery and therapy. Even as she battled the sickness, she continued to dance, bonding with her doctor over various types of music they both appreciated.
“He and I would speak about music more than breast cancer,” she chuckled.
Margaret is now enjoying her Golden Years, surrounded by a supportive group of Zumba friends. She hopes that by hearing her experience, others will be motivated to begin (and remain) active!
“The trick to attaining my age, 99, is to keep laughing, dancing, and moving, and the whole world will smile with you,” she explained.
Margaret has the greatest disposition! It’s critical to keep active as we get older, and she’s living proof that you’re never too old to meet new people, listen to new music, and dance like no one’s looking.
