TV presenter Mary Kennedy has opened up about her thoughts on aging, as she she shared that she hopes to be here for as many milestones with her family as she can.
The star said that she "doesn't dwell" on getting older, but as a mother of four and grandmother to five grandchildren, she wants to be around for them as much as possible.
The writer and broadcaster turned 70 last year, and celebrated the milestone birthday surrounded by her family.
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She told The Irish Sun on Sunday newspaper: "The one thing that I don't want is to ever die."
"I don't want to die, because I look at my five-year-old grandchildren and I say, 'OK, when he is making his 21st, will I be here? When he's getting married will I be here?'"
Mary has already had to experience her own father not being around for important life events, as he sadly passed away aged just 59.
She said: "My father was 59 when he died so he didn't have any of that."
"But I don't dwell on it. I mean, you can't! For God's sake, 'it's crazy."
Speaking previously about her recent milestone birthday, she told RSVP Live that she was feeling a little sensitive in the run up to it.
She explained: "When I got to the day itself, there was celebration and it was nice. I’m time aware and the most important thing for me is my relationship with my friends and family and the next generation."
"I want to maximise my time and I want everyone else to do it as well.
"The chances are that a lot of people over 65 will have grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or grandnieces or grandnephews, and they’re magical relationships. It’s awful if they’re cut short."
The broadcaster is very content with where life has brought her so far.
She said: "It was a very serious roundy birthday. At 50, it’s fun, at 60, it’s still fun, but at 70, you’ve got to take it seriously - and I do!
"I’ve five grandchildren now and I don’t ever want not to be here. I’m thinking about 21sts and weddings and I want to be here for as long as possible."
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