Willie Nelson reveals his secrets to reaching the age of 87

‘I always thought I was lucky to make it past 21’: Willie Nelson reveals his secrets to reaching the age of 87 – martial arts, making music and marijuana

Willie Nelson has admitted he’s shocked to have made it to 87-years-old.

In a new interview with Slate, the music legend reveals he’s still living life to the full, even if the global pandemic has put a stop to getting on the road and playing live music.

Willie spoke to the website as part of its 80 most influential Americans over 80 series, explaining how practicing martial arts daily and his life-long use of marijuana keep him going. 

Made it! Willie Nelson has admitted he’s shocked to have made it to 87-years-old, revealing he’s still living life to the full, even if the global pandemic has put a stop to getting on the road and playing live music

‘When I was young, I was pretty dumb. And now that I’m older, I’m pretty f**king dumb. I don’t know everything, and I think I do. So there’s the problem,’ he shared. ‘I didn’t ever think I’d get this old. I always thought I was lucky to make it past 21.’

While he’s been unable to keep up his hectic touring schedule in 2020, the musician has been working on new material, declaring: ‘I could do an album a day if I needed to.’

‘We’re putting together a new album that we’ve been in [the studio] doing the last few months. It’s a family album with me and all the kids and everybody singing on it, and it’ll be coming out one of these days. I just enjoy being there and recording.’ 

Willie was also asked about his love of martial arts, saying: ‘I still do it as much as I ever did. One thing it gives you is a little confidence, that you don’t have to worry a lot because you’re capable of handling any situation that comes up.’

Keeping busy: Willie spoke to Slate as part of its 80 most influential Americans over 80 series and explained that while e can't tour he's been recording music and playing for fans online

Keeping busy: Willie spoke to Slate as part of its 80 most influential Americans over 80 series and explained that while e can’t tour he’s been recording music and playing for fans online

‘Having no fear is a pretty good thing. I still try to do a little workout every day just to pay for the day. That’s what I call it: You have to do something to pay for the day. So I’ll get up and do a little walking or jogging or whatever, just enough to keep the heart going.’

The singer is also infamous for his love of cannabis, and was keen to lend his voice after the US House of Representatives passed a bill to decriminalise cannabis at the national level for the first time earlier this month.

A long-time advocate for the legalization of cannabis use, he co-chairs the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. 

‘I think it’s great,’ he told Slate of the bill passing. ‘It is a good medicine and I’m glad that it’s being accepted around the country, and I’ll be glad when every state in the union legalizes it, because I think it will be healthy for everybody.’

Keeping strong: Willie was asked about his love of martial arts, saying: 'I still do it as much as I ever did. One thing it gives you is a little confidence'

Keeping strong: Willie was asked about his love of martial arts, saying: ‘I still do it as much as I ever did. One thing it gives you is a little confidence’

A year ago the singer/songwriter was forced to clarify reports that he had given up marijuana all together after stating in an interview that he had stubbed out his joints for good. 

‘I have abused my lungs quite a bit in the past, so breathing is a little more difficult these days and I have to be careful,’ Nelson explained to KSAT

‘I started smoking cedar bark, went from that to cigarettes to whatever,’ he continued. ‘And that almost killed me.

‘I don’t smoke anymore — take better care of myself.’ The star’s representative later clarified that he still plans to use vapes and edible products. 

Passion: The singer is also infamous for his love of cannabis, and was keen to lend his voice after the US House of Representatives passed a bill to decriminalise cannabis

Passion: The singer is also infamous for his love of cannabis, and was keen to lend his voice after the US House of Representatives passed a bill to decriminalise cannabis