10. Winston Churchill’s lifestyle was hardly conducive to good health
Winston Churchill consumed tobacco and alcohol with unabashed gusto for most of his adult life. He exercised little, preferring a sedate approach to life and the workday. He typically woke early, but did not arise, remaining in bed with the first of his ten or so cigars each day, reading and working on correspondence. Usually, a glass of brandy accompanied his light breakfast. Rising around 11 he would go to his office for a couple of hours before lunch, which was usually preceded by whiskey and water and accompanied with champagne. A two-hour lunch was his norm, followed by port, brandy, and another cigar. Then he would return to his office until naptime, about 5, when he would be whisked to sleep by yet another whiskey.
After his nap, more work occupied him until dinner, which was preceded by cocktails, accompanied with wine, and followed by port, brandy, and cigars. Churchill usually returned to work when his guests retired, and worked into the early hours of the morning. He maintained a similar schedule when visiting the White House, to the dismay of Eleanor Roosevelt, who felt it dangerous to her husband, Franklin. Churchill maintained more or less the same schedule throughout his retirement, replacing work with painting or supervising work on his home and estate. He died in January, 1965. He was 90 years of age.