# Maria Giannakos' Longevity Secret: Extra Virgin Olive Oil **By Ilias Giannakos** · 2021-05-29 As a successful business, it’s important for us to truly believe in what we do and provide proof of the quality of our products. At **Ilias and Sons**, we specialize in **extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)** and genuinely believe in its **health-enhancing properties**. But what’s the proof? While there are plenty of **scientific studies** backing up the benefits of **extra virgin olive oil**, we also have a **powerful personal story**—one that spans generations. The best example is **Maria Giannakos**, my mother, who passed away last year at the remarkable age of **108**. Her **longevity** was even recognized by **Queen Elizabeth II**, who sent her a letter of acknowledgment. ## A Simple Life Rooted in Olive Oil and Tradition Maria’s story isn’t just about **extra virgin olive oil**—it’s about **a life philosophy**. A philosophy centered around **a healthy, simple way of living**, deeply rooted in **Mediterranean traditions**. She was born **Maria Anagostakos in 1912** in a small village south of **Sparta, Greece**. Growing up in **turbulent times**, she faced hardships from an early age. After third grade, she had to leave school to **help with farm work**, as was common in large, poor families of the time. Despite these struggles, Maria’s life was **full of optimism, family, and fresh, natural food—much of it infused with extra virgin olive oil**. ## The Foundation of a Long Life: Olive Oil and Mediterranean Diet At age **22**, Maria married my father, **Evangelos Giannakos**, and moved to **Vasilaki in the Peloponnese**. With that, she gained something invaluable—**the Giannakos olive groves**, featuring ancient **1,000-year-old olive trees** that had been in our family for generations. As a hardworking wife, she managed both **the home and the olive business**, while always ensuring that her family enjoyed **fresh, natural foods**. Our meals always contained **extra virgin olive oil**—and not just for cooking. We **drank it daily**, a tradition that continues in our family today. 💡 **Our award-winning** **7Thirty Extra Virgin Olive Oil** is a testament to the same **high-phenolic** olive oil that fueled my mother’s **long life**. Starting your day with a tablespoon can **boost your health** just as it did for her. ## A Heart of Gold: Giving Through Olive Oil Maria wasn’t just a **caretaker of her family**—she was also known for **helping others**. She often **shared our family’s olive oil** and meals with people in need. During **World War II**, when Greece was occupied, both **Greeks and Germans** came to our family for food, and Maria **never turned anyone away**. Her generosity extended beyond food—when Greek women gained the right to vote in **1952**, Maria became **president of the women’s voting organization** in her village, leading the way for equality. ## From Greece to Canada: Bringing Olive Oil to the World After my father passed away from **cancer at 56**, life changed drastically. Over time, **four out of five** of Maria’s children emigrated to **Canada**. Eventually, I too left Greece, bringing my mother with me. For the next **50 years**, Maria lived in **Ottawa**, but her heart remained in **Greece**. She traveled back every **two years**—always returning in time for the **olive harvest**. She insisted on the **traditional method**, using a **stick to knock olives down by hand**, ensuring only the **best olives** were selected for oil production. Every time she returned to **Canada**, she carried bottles of **homemade extra virgin olive oil** for our family and friends. Over time, this demand grew—**leading to the birth of Ilias and Sons**. ## Maria’s Legacy: The Secret to Longevity At **100 years old**, Maria celebrated with **dozens of family members**. She had **11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren**, living a life full of love and connection. Even in her final years, Maria remained **mentally and physically sharp**. She told her **great-grandchildren** stories of her **childhood**, a time when life was simple, but **family and food were always abundant**. Upon her passing, Maria was laid to rest next to **Evangelos in Vasilaki, Greece**—her journey coming full circle. ## Longevity and the Power of Extra Virgin Olive Oil So, what was **Maria Giannakos' secret to longevity**? While **extra virgin olive oil** was at the core, there’s more to it: ✅ **A natural, homegrown diet** – What we now call “organic” was just normal food back then. ✅ **Daily movement** – Hard labor kept people fit, without needing a gym. ✅ **A simple, stress-free lifestyle** – Strong community, home-cooked meals, and time outdoors. ✅ **The Mediterranean Diet** – Rich in fresh vegetables, fish, nuts, and, most importantly, **extra virgin olive oil**. Today, many of us are searching for ways to **live longer and healthier**. Perhaps the secret isn’t **complex diets or expensive health trends**—maybe the key is to **go back to the basics**, just like Maria did. ## Try the Olive Oil That Fueled Maria’s Longevity 📌 "Inspired by **Maria Giannakos' Longevity Secret: Extra Virgin Olive Oil**, our **7Thirty Extra Virgin Olive Oil** is made from high-phenolic Koroneiki olives. Hand-harvested in the Peloponnese, this premium EVOO is packed with antioxidants and heart-healthy benefits. Enjoy the same quality olive oil that supported Maria’s long life." [🔗 **Shop 7Thirty Extra Virgin Olive Oil Now**](https://iliasandsons.com/collections/featured-most-popular-products/products/7thirty-high-phenolic-ultra-premium-organic-greek-extra-virgin-olive-oil-1) At **Ilias and Sons**, we continue to honor **her legacy** by providing the same **pure, high-quality extra virgin olive oil** that fueled **Maria’s 108-year journey**. ✨ **Want to bring the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil into your daily routine?** 👉 **Try our award-winning [7Thirty EVOO today!](https://iliasandsons.com/collections/featured-most-popular-products/products/7thirty-high-phenolic-ultra-premium-organic-greek-extra-virgin-olive-oil-1)** **Tags:** 7 Thirty, EVOO, Giannakos, Greek Olive OIl, Health, Health Benefits, Longevity, Maria, Ultra Premium --- > Source: [Ilias and Sons](https://iliasandsons.com/blogs/news/maria-giannakos-longevity-secret-extra-virgin-olive-oilmaria-giannakos-longevity-extra-virgin-olive-oil)