At 90, Julie Andrews still feels like she’s in her 50s: The simple morning exercise habit and mindset the ‘Sound of Music’ star has followed for decades to stay active and age well

At 90, Dame Julie Andrews continues to approach life with an energy that many people decades younger might envy. The legendary star of The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins has never claimed to have a secret formula for ageing, but her approach is surprisingly simple: keep moving, stay curious and continue learning.

For Andrews, exercise has been part of her routine for much of her life. Even as she has grown older, she has continued to make movement a priority, adapting her workouts to suit her changing body.

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Julie Andrews has exercised first thing in the morning for decades

Speaking to Yahoo Life, Andrews revealed that working out in the morning had been a long-standing habit.

“I have all my life worked out first thing in the morning or something like that, a little less so these days,” she said.

Her routine has changed over the years, but movement has remained an important part of her lifestyle. Ballet, stretching, yoga, walking and aerobic exercises have all featured at different points.

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In 1996, Andrews told The Rosie O'Donnell Show that she would start her day with about 45 minutes of stretching, aerobics and ballet barre, describing them as “all the things I know work for me.”

Rather than constantly looking for the newest fitness trend, Andrews appears to have focused on exercises she enjoyed and could maintain.

Walking helped Julie Andrews build stamina

Walking became particularly important during her years as a performer. While preparing for a demanding run at the London Palladium, Andrews began taking brisk walks through the countryside.

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She deliberately chose hills and steep inclines to challenge herself, helping build the stamina and leg strength she needed for performing.

Her approach was practical rather than complicated. Years later, Andrews described wanting to “work out as little as I can for as much gain as I can”, incorporating yoga and a little ballet for around 30 or 40 minutes every other day.

The goal wasn't simply to change her appearance. Andrews said she exercised to “keep supple” and remain physically capable.

Her daughter says curiosity may be another secret

Exercise isn't the only thing Andrews credits for keeping her engaged with life. Her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, believes her mother's curiosity has played an equally important role.

“I think it's because Mom is at heart a curious person,” she told Yahoo Life. “She stays very interested and very curious about creativity.”

Andrews agreed, saying she is “still learning”.

That mindset has remained visible throughout her later career. Even after decades in entertainment, she has continued exploring creative projects, including writing children's books with her daughter and narrating Bridgerton as the voice of Lady Whistledown.

Julie Andrews says she feels much younger than her age

In 2024, Andrews appeared on Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Wiser Than Me podcast and was asked how old she actually felt.

Her answer was strikingly different from her chronological age.

“Well, I probably feel like in my 50s, honest to God,” she replied. “As long as the brain holds out, I'm doing okay. You know, and I don't feel bad at all now.”

That doesn't mean she ignores the realities of ageing. Andrews has acknowledged that getting older can sometimes be “a nuisance”, particularly when aches and pains make it harder to do everything she wants.

“I want to do more and I want to exercise more and all of those things,” she said.

Julie Andrews' approach to ageing is about consistency

Andrews' story isn't necessarily about finding one extraordinary longevity trick. Instead, her habits point toward something much more straightforward: regular movement, mental curiosity and staying involved in activities that bring purpose.

From brisk walks and ballet to yoga, stretching and creative work, the 90-year-old star has continued adapting rather than giving up on the things she enjoys.

Her decades-long routine also reflects a lesson she learned early. As a child performer, Andrews underwent rigorous training that she believes shaped her discipline and work ethic.

“I am grateful for the early years of my life when the training was very disciplined and crazy,” she told Yahoo Life. “It gave me a work ethic and made me really have to be good.”