In March of 2023, in time for International Women’s Month, I launched my third book entitled, Why Should Guys Have All The Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood and Running A Billion Dollar Empire.
Through my 200-page memoir, I shared my life’s journey from my joyful upbringing as a young girl in Sorsogon, Philippines to my life-altering trip to New York City that led to my serendipitous blind date with the brilliant and tenacious Reginald F. Lewis, my soulmate and eventually, my husband
What followed since my book launched was a rigorous yet exhilarating two-year long book tour that got me to travel all over the United States, parts of Canada, in over nine cities in Europe, and eventually to the Philippines.
At one of our earlier book events in the spring of 2023, I was interviewed by Emmy-award winning journalist Ernabel Demillo at the Lingua Franca store in West Village, New York City, an event wonderfully put together by my younger daughter, Christina Lewis, and her friend and owner of the boutique, Rachelle Hruska. I was asked by Ernabel, “Why write the book now?”
I replied that I had the idea to write my memoir when I was seventy-five years old, after reading Katharine Graham’s Personal History, the famous American publisher’s Pulitzer Prize–winning memoir, in 1997. I was inspired by her book because, just like me, she was also thrust into a position of leadership as CEO of the Washington Post after the very sudden death of her husband, Phil Graham.
Continuing my reply to Ernabel, “So, now that I turned eighty…” At this moment, a collective gasp from a room full of mostly women of diverse ages and backgrounds was very audibly heard. I can hear whispers of women saying all at once, “What?” “She did NOT just say she’s eighty!” “Is she really eighty?”
“Yes, I am eighty,” I reiterated with a smile.
As we went from event to event for my book, I was met with similar reactions whenever I revealed my age. Even more so whenever I say that I’ve never had any work done whatsoever, not even Botox.
“This is what eighty should look like,” I would say, pointing to my face. “However, I made the decision that I am eighty years old for the next ten years,” I’d often say, which made them chuckle or get even more intrigued.
With the reactions I’ve garnered during my book tour, it’s clear to me that these things that I have been doing through the years are clearly working, at least for me. I do understand that what works for me may not necessarily work for everyone else, so kindly take my book with a grain of salt and apply only what you think would agree most with your current lifestyle.
Should you decide to follow my tips, I advise you to read the entire book first, then practice the tips in each chapter for one week or more until they become a habit. After one chapter, practice the next, and so on. This way, you can optimize what you learn, and give each habit a chance to find its place in your daily routine and practices.
You can now pre-order the US edition of Look Younger When You’re Older (No Botox, No Surgery) at this link: bit.ly/preorderlookyounger (shipping on December 8, 2026). It has new chapters filled with financial tips from me, and those who pre-order will also get bonus digital content. It’s a good gift to yourself for your loved ones this coming holiday season.
Hopefully, in time, you too can look and feel younger at any age!
Loida Nicolas Lewis
New York City