"I Will Stay Healthy and Be with My Son Until His 21st Birthday"
Dr. John Levin, known as "Australia's oldest father" and a resident of Melbourne, Australia, made headlines last year when he welcomed his first son through in vitro fertilization at the age of 93. Now, he is drawing attention again as he expresses hopes for another child. He has set a goal to be by his son's side until his 21st birthday, when his son becomes an adult.
Dr. John Levin lost his first wife, Veronica, in 2013 after 57 years of marriage. During their marriage, they had three children. Their eldest son, Greg, passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease in 2024 at the age of 65. Dr. Levin is also a grandfather to ten grandchildren and a great-grandfather to one great-grandchild.
Later, while learning Chinese, he met Dr. Lu Yaying, a linguist, and the two married in 2014. The age gap between Dr. Levin and Dr. Lu is a remarkable 56 years, which has drawn significant public attention. However, the couple has built a loving family, undeterred by their age difference.
Last year, the couple welcomed their son, Gabby, through in vitro fertilization. Dr. Lu described her successful pregnancy on the first attempt as "lucky." Dr. Levin revealed that he also hopes to have a daughter, sharing his plans for a second child, while Dr. Lu stated that they are "still discussing" the matter and remains cautious. Dr. Lu explained that her perspective on having children changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding, "If I were to lose him, I wanted to keep a part of him with me," which made this pregnancy even more meaningful for her.
The couple has spoken candidly about the public's reaction to their family and child. Dr. Lu shared, "At first, people often mistake our son for my husband's grandson or great-grandson. When we explain, everyone is surprised." However, she emphasized, "What matters most to us is making choices that make us happy," stressing that they do not pay attention to others' opinions. Dr. Levin also expressed his strong determination to stay healthy and fulfill his role as a father until his son's 21st birthday.
To maintain healthy aging, Dr. Levin practices strict self-care. He works out at the gym twice a week and follows intermittent fasting, eating nothing before noon. He maintains a primarily vegetarian diet and completely abstains from alcohol and smoking. He walks to work and keeps a regular schedule, working five days a week. For the past 30 years, he has been receiving growth hormone injections, dedicating himself fully to anti-aging efforts.
However, the use of growth hormone injections remains controversial in the medical community. Some experts warn of serious side effects when growth hormones are used for cosmetic or anti-aging purposes. In contrast, Dr. Levin stated in a previous interview, "There is little scientific evidence that growth hormone is harmful, and I have never seen any side effects in myself or my patients," expressing confidence in his regimen.
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