American centenarian holidays in Seychelles |14 July 2023

Mr Kiffin and his two daughters Arlene (far left) and Valerie (far right) in a souvenir photo with Seychelles Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Sylvestre Radegonde (Photo: Patsy Canaya)

“Everything you want in life you have to work for. Nothing comes easy” – wise words from American centenarian, Irwin Alexander Kiffin, 101, who is presently on holiday in Seychelles with sixteen (16) of his close relatives and friends.

Seychelles NATION caught up with a joyful, alert and active Mr Kiffin at the Constance Ephelia Resort, Port Launay, where he has been staying since Monday.

He left the United States on July 4, and Seychelles is the second leg of the trip after spending the first leg in Kenya, where his team, other than taking part in community projects, also went on safari.

According to Mr Kiffin’s cousin, Errol Harris, who refers to him affectionately as ‘uncle’, the centenarian is an active man, who has travelled the world, accompanied by his large group of relatives.

He said this was their first trip overseas since the Covid-19 pandemic and they wanted to make it a little more special.

Mr Harris said Seychelles was the best option in the region following the safari, as they wanted to enjoy the sea and sun.

Also in the team are Mr Kiffin’s two daughters, Valerie Kiffin Lewis and Arleen Haywood, with whom he lives back in Florida, United States.

Mr Kiffin is also father to two other men. 

Valerie said his father is a celebrity. “He is a celebrity everywhere we go. At the airport we sometimes get into trouble because they get confused on the year he was born, not recognising 1922 and they freak out. It is a miracle,” she said.

Valerie, who described her father as a “principled” man, said he is an amazing person and a good role model.

She said the best advice she has taken from him is to work hard for anything you want in life. “Education is key in our household. He did not go down, you always had to do better in our household,” she reflected.

“If I had a 96 in spelling and came home the next day with 94, he would not sign the report card. Because for him to sign meant approval. Even as a child when we were playing he would come to stop us after a while stating everything has to come an end,” she added.

Valerie, who sold her home to move in with her sister so as to help take care of their father, said she will always be around, as long as he is around.

She added that their house is immaculate because of the presence of the 101-year-old.

Mr Kiffin’s daily routine includes a two-mile walk followed by hours of gardening and Valerie said despite his age, they can barely keep up with him.

“He has done the whole safari, waking up at 5am or 6am every day, and going the whole day, sometimes even two safaris a day,” she marvelled.

According to his daughters, Mr Kiffin does not have a special diet and can eat anything.

When questioned as to how he could stay so fit and healthy, Mr Kiffin replied that the daily walks, followed by other exercises, help a lot.

Born on February 11, 1922, in Jamaica, the centenarian said although he had a hard life as a child, he has lived a good life.

He was the youngest from a family of twelve and lost his mother as a baby, hence had to be raised by relatives.

Mr Kiffin went to school until the age of 15 and had to join the world of work as soon as he left school to make a living. He remembered his first trade as a mechanic. His first job when he migrated to the states as a young man was to work in a factory making paper bags.

“They paid 25 cents an hour. Back in the day we did not do well, it is only now that things are better, but at least you could work back then and earn a living,” he said.

It was through his hard work that he could raise his four children whom he said are now lawyer, judge, doctor and basketball player.

“Today I am happy, I am more than happy,” he chuckled.

Yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde, called on Mr Kiffin at his Presidential Villa at Constance Ephelia to welcome him to Seychelles and present him with a souvenir.  The tourism establishment had organised a small gathering for him and his family and he was also invited to share a cake with Minister Radegonde and his delegation, which also included Bernadette Willemin, the director-general for Destination Marketing.

When welcoming them, the general manager of Constance Ephelia, Stephane Duchenne, said it was an honour to have Mr Kiffin staying at their tourism establishment and thanked the minister for dropping by to meet them.

“We do not have the luxury of welcoming an individual with more than a century of experience so we are delighted that you have chosen our property for your vacation,” said Mr Duchenne, adding this means the establishment reassures visitors, as they see it as safe, convenient and the ideal place for their holiday.

Mr Kiffin and his family are travelling to Constance Lemuria on Praslin today and he will be in Seychelles until next Monday, July 17.

Seychelles is the latest country to be added to the long list of countries Mr Kiffin has visited including, France, Greece, Israel, Kenya, some Caribbean islands, among others.

Patsy Canaya