The woman on the red carpet looks like she stepped out of a magazine from two decades ago. Her hair cascades in dark waves, her skin glows under the flashbulbs, and her smile radiates a confidence that draws every eye. But this isn’t a rising star in her twenties. This is Maribel Guardia at 65.
The Costa Rican-born actress, model, and former Miss Costa Rica has become a living paradox. While many celebrities retreat from the public eye as they age, Guardia seems to only grow more vibrant. In 2024, she launched her own line of organic skincare products and continues to book fashion spreads that rival models half her age. But the question everyone asks—how does she do it?—is not just about vanity. It’s about biology, genetics, and the science of longevity.
The Genetics of a ‘Slow Agers’
To understand Guardia’s age-defying appearance, you have to look past the moisturizers and yoga routines. Dr. Elena Marquez, a gerontologist at the University of Costa Rica, explains that some people are simply born with a genetic advantage. “We call them ‘slow agers,'” Dr. Marquez says. “Their cells show less oxidative damage, their telomeres—the protective caps on DNA—remain long even into their sixth decade.”
Guardia, who measures just 5 feet 2 inches, has a petite frame that may also influence her longevity. Research from the National Institute on Aging suggests that individuals with lower body mass often experience reduced inflammation and slower cellular aging. But genetics alone isn’t the whole story.
When asked about her routine in a 2023 interview with Hola! magazine, Guardia emphasized three pillars: consistent sleep, a plant-heavy diet, and daily movement. “I eat like a Costa Rican,” she said, referring to the country’s traditional diet of gallo pinto, fresh fruits, and vegetables. That diet is rich in polyphenols—antioxidants that mop up free radicals and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
“In Central America, we have a term called ‘pura vida’ that means pure life,” Guardia told the magazine. “It’s not just a saying; it’s how we live. I believe that mindset reduces the stress that ages us.”
The Stress Connection: Cortisol and Aging
Dr. Marquez points to another factor: stress hormones. Cortisol, when chronically elevated, accelerates the breakdown of collagen and shrinks brain cells. “Guardia’s public persona is one of calm and joy,” Dr. Marquez notes. “People who maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of tragedy—she lost her son in 2023—show lower cortisol levels. That’s not just psychology; it’s measurable biology.”
In fact, a 2021 study published in Nature Aging found that individuals who reported high levels of life satisfaction had telomeres that were on average 5% longer than those who were dissatisfied. That 5% can translate into years of visible youthfulness.
Guardia’s skincare line, launched in April 2024, capitalizes on this science. The products include ingredients like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, both proven to boost collagen production and moisture retention. But she insists the real secret is internal. “You cannot fix on the outside what is broken on the inside,” she said at the launch event in San José.
A Life in the Spotlight: The Science of Public Aging
Guardia’s career began in 1978 when she won Miss Costa Rica, then went on to represent her country in Miss Universe. She moved to Mexico in the 1980s and became a staple of telenovelas and film, often cast as the glamorous lead. For decades, she has been photographed, scrutinized, and praised. This constant visibility creates a unique set of biological pressures.
Dr. Andrew Kim, a psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, studies how public figures age differently. “The idea is that celebrities often have access to better healthcare, nutrition, and personal trainers,” Dr. Kim says. “But they also face enormous stress—media scrutiny, demanding schedules, and constant travel. The net effect varies. Some celebrities crash; others, like Guardia, seem to thrive.” He adds that the support system matters. Guardia has been open about her deep faith, her close family ties with her mother and her son (until his passing), and her practice of meditation. “Social support is a powerful biological buffer,” Dr. Kim explains.
Guardia’s diet is another piece. Costa Rica is one of the so-called Blue Zones—regions where people live longer than average. Although the official Blue Zones are Nicoya, Sardinia, Okinawa, Ikaria, and Loma Linda, the entire Costa Rican diet shares similar traits: low processed foods, high legumes, and abundant fresh produce. Guardia’s meals, which she occasionally shares on Instagram, include black beans, rice, corn tortillas, and fresh mango. “That’s not a diet; that’s my culture,” she says.
What It Means for You: Practical Takeaways
You don’t have to be a celebrity or a former Miss Universe to benefit from these principles. The science suggests that four factors—genetics, diet, stress management, and social connection—play the largest roles in how we age. While you cannot change your DNA, you can control the other three.
Start by adding more plant-based meals. A 2023 study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that substituting just 10% of daily calories from processed meat with plant proteins lowered biological age markers by an average of 2.1 years. Next, build a routine that lowers stress: even 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce cortisol by 12% in as little as two weeks. Finally, cultivate relationships. A 2022 meta-analysis in The Lancet concluded that people with strong social ties had a 50% higher likelihood of survival over 7.5 years compared to those who were isolated.
Guardia embodies these habits. She still exercises daily—often swimming or doing Pilates—and she hasn’t stopped working. “Retirement? No, thank you,” she laughed at her 2024 product launch. “The moment you stop moving, you start aging.”
Looking Forward: The Next Frontier
The science of aging is advancing rapidly. In the next decade, we may see interventions like senolytic drugs that clear zombie cells from the body, or personalized gene therapies that slow the clock even further. For now, humans like Maribel Guardia serve as real-world case studies—proof that aging gracefully is not just luck but also deliberate choices.
Researchers at the University of Costa Rica are now planning a longitudinal study of centenarians in the Nicoya Peninsula, which has one of the highest concentrations of 100-year-olds in the world. Guardia, who was born in San José but spent summers in Nicoya with her grandmother, may one day join that study. “I want to be that woman,” she once said, “the one who danced at 100.” Given the science behind her, it’s a plausible future.
