How did Taft live until 1930?

[Plankton5165]

He was the heaviest President ever, yet he also served the longest retirement for any president over 75 years.

100 years ago today, he was still alive.

[politicallefty]

Being heavy doesn't automatically mean you're going to die early. He was also one of the younger Presidents, taking office at the age of 51. It does seem like his health did catch up with him in his later years though.

[Senator Incitatus]

He was ROBUST!

[The Dowager Mod]

Plenty of pizza of course.

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

First, he actually only lived to 72, and second he lost over 100 pounds after leaving office.

[Podgy the Bear]

Between James Buchanan (15) and Herbert Hoover (31), Taft  (27) was the longest living President. 

My thoughts: a probable Type B personality in this field (though extremely accomplished) and a seemingly happy family life (supportive wife and three children who went on to be very successful in their own respective lives). 

And regarding his obesity, it may have been somewhat protective in a time before antibiotics when infectious diseases remained a major cause of death in the United States and throughout the world.

[dead0man]

good genes

[Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy]

good genes

This, his 3 brothers, father, mother, paternal grandfather grandfather and even the latter's grandfather all died in their 80s

[Badger]

First, he actually only lived to 72, and second he lost over 100 pounds after leaving office.

Yes. He hated being president and ate like an mf'er to compensate resulting in him becoming our fattest president ever. He was truly only happy as Supreme Court chief justice.