6 longevity lessons to learn from June Lockhart

June Lockhart, who became a mother figure for the TV audience with her roles on the campy sci-fi series ‘Lost in Space’ and on the family drama ‘Lassie,’ died on Thursday at age 100, her family announced.

She died of natural causes at her home in Santa Monica, California, family spokesman Lyle Gregory, a friend of 40 years, said on Saturday.“She was very happy up until the very end, reading the New York Times and LA Times every day. It was very important to her to stay focused on the news of the day,” he said. Lockhart lived a healthy and happy life. And the space mom’s longevity secret? Good food, regular exercise, and even better company. Here are some longevity lessons to learn from the mother herself!

Eat right

Lockhart didn’t eat fancy meals or mystery food to stay buzzing until 100.

She ensured to eat right. She ate ‘carefully but not rigidly,’ according to Radar online. A good diet does not always have to be gourmet dishes or exquisite meals; eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet can make all the difference. “I don't eat any kind of mystery food — just a nice, plain nourishing diet,” she told the Los Angeles Daily News in 2008.

Leafy greens were part of her diet

Leafy greens were an essential part of her daily diet. Yes, that’s right. Television’s beloved mom knew greens were good for her health. She incorporated spinach, kale, and similar green vegetables into her diet. A 2025 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that leafy greens are good for the heart. Edith Cowan University researchers found that a cup and a half of leafy green vegetables can go a long way in addressing atherosclerotic vascular diseases.

“Leafy green and cruciferous vegetables, like spinach, kale, and broccoli, contain Vitamin K1, which may assist in preventing vascular calcification processes that characterize cardiovascular disease. The great news is that these vegetables can be easily incorporated into your daily meals,” the researchers noted.

A healthy heart is crucial for a healthy body.

Focus on lean proteins

While Lockhart credits her health and stamina to good genes, she also ensures that she eats lean proteins. Lean meats such as chicken, turkey, beef, and pork are excellent sources of high-quality protein. Fish, eggs, and legumes are also good sources of lean protein. A 2022 study has found that eating a balanced diet including protein from a greater variety of sources may help adults lower the risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a silent killer and a major risk factor for stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and other chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organization.

She never smoked

June Lockhart has never smoked. Though she indulged in ‘the occasional margarita’, she never smoked. “I've never smoked. I think that makes a difference,” she told LA Daily News earlier. A growing body of research indicates that smoking is harmful to health. According to the CDC, 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease. Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure cause over 480,000 deaths in the US each year. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body.

Exercise

Lockhart has maintained good posture, stamina, and health throughout her life. And the secret behind it? Movement. Exercise was part of her life. "I've been working out twice a week for years and years and years," she told the outlet earlier. She also enjoyed walking. A recent study found that daily step counts of 4,000 or more are tied to reduced risk of heart disease, mortality in older women. Another study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, this year found that being consistently physically active in adulthood is linked to a 30–40% lower risk of death from any cause in later life.

Good company

She maintained a good relationship with the people around her. She had a great relationship with her parents. "Both my parents were very successful actors in the business... I had a lovely home life," she said earlier. Lockhart married twice and raised two daughters. She also maintained strong social connections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection global report published earlier this year, social connection is linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death.

Who was June Lockhart?

Born in New York City in 1925, Lockhart was the daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart. She made her debut at the age of eight in a Metropolitan Opera production of Peter Ibbetson. Her first film was 1938's 'A Christmas Carol'. She ventured into television in 1949 and rose to fame in 1958 when she portrayed Ruth Martin, who raised the orphaned Timmy (Jon Provost), in the popular CBS series ‘Lassie’. In 1965, she signed the campy CBS adventure ‘Lost in Space’ where she portrayed a matriarch of a family of space explorers.Her portrayals of warm, compassionate mothers endeared her to young viewers, and decades later, baby boomers flocked to nostalgia conventions to meet Lockhart and buy her autographed photos.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.