Susan Lucci, 79, reveals her three-word ageing mantra inspired by her mother, who lived to 104

Susan Lucci has no intention of slowing down, and she has three words to explain why: "aging with audacity".

The All My Children legend, 79, looked radiant as she joined HELLO! at the DKMS Gala at New York's Cipriani Wall Street on Thursday, 15 October, wearing a black slip gown with a lace-trimmed neckline.

The glossy dress skimmed her figure before giving way to a sheer floral lace skirt, revealing sparkling peep-toe heels. A pearl necklace, matching drop earrings and a glittering bracelet completed her ensemble, while a plush black wrap rested over one arm.

With her highlighted brunette hair in voluminous waves and a rosy lip, Susan brought plenty of glamour to the evening. But when conversation turned to her approach to ageing, she credited an inspiration much closer to home.

Susan Lucci's mother inspired her approach to ageing

Asked whether her philosophy had changed since she previously discussed it with HELLO!, Susan was emphatic. "It's always been my mindset," she said, explaining that she had explored the subject in her latest book.

Her memoir, La Lucci, published in February, includes a chapter titled Aging with Audacity. 

"First of all, I lost my mother at 104 years old, and she was still wearing her kitten heels," Susan told HELLO!. "She was fabulous and I had a very good example, but also she was just great in so many ways."

For the actress, the familiar advice to grow old gracefully has never quite captured how she wants to live. "But I never liked that expression growing old gracefully," she explained. "That just sounds to me like you just sit there and say, oh well, no, no."

Susan Lucci's emotional night watching Celine Dion

Susan's recent travels offered a glimpse of that enthusiasm in action. The actress revealed that she had returned from Europe only the previous evening, having travelled to Paris to watch Celine Dion perform.

"I just got off the plane last night," she told HELLO!. "So I was in Paris for Celine's opening night."

Watching the singer had clearly made an impression. "That was a life experience," Susan said, describing the evening as "very emotional" and adding: "I'm so, so thrilled that I was there."

Susan Lucci's advice for finding joy

Back in New York, Susan was supporting DKMS, the organisation dedicated to fighting blood cancer and blood disorders, at its 20th annual gala.

"This is my first association with this charity, but a friend of mine is very involved, and he asked me to join," she explained. "I'm happy to be here to help in any way I can."

Asked what advice she would offer someone hoping to find the same zest for life, Susan encouraged them to hold on to their sense of discovery.

"Oh, first of all, I think you're just kind of born with that, but then don't lose track of that, that curiosity, that wonder, that excitement. "There's a big wide world out there and keep on keeping on, have fun."