QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: ANNA BAILEY ‘There is no secret — you just feel good and take care of yourself’

By Kimberly Bailey Tureaud

A Las Vegas icon reflects on a remarkable century of life

As New Year’s Eve ushered in 2026, I looked at my mother, Anna Bailey, and said, “Mom, you were born on August 26, 1926.” She smiled and replied, “Yes, I was.” 

I said, “Mom, that means you’re 100 years old.” Without missing a beat, she smiled again and said, “You can count.” 

That exchange perfectly captures my mother’s wit, warmth, and joyful outlook on life. This August, our family celebrates Anna Bailey’s 100th birthday — a remarkable milestone for a woman who continues to thrive, inspire, and, as she likes to say, keep “kicking high.” 

Anna and my father, William H. “Bob” Bailey, arrived in Las Vegas from New York City in 1955 to perform at the historic Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino, the nation’s first integrated hotel-casino. Before making Las Vegas their home, they were part of New York’s vibrant Black entertainment community, traveling throughout the country as performers during an era when opportunities for Black entertainers often came with tremendous challenges. 

From Broadway to London, Anna Bailey built an extraordinary career in dance and entertainment. She began dancing at just 14 years old at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, a career that led her to perform in iconic venues such as the Savoy Ballroom, the Zanzibar Club, and many others. She also traveled the famed Chitlin’ Circuit alongside celebrated entertainers including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Louis Jordan. 

Bailey vividly remembers relying on The Negro Motorist Green Book while traveling through the segregated South during the Jim Crow era. 

“Yes, I remember when we would travel to our next gig on the bus,” Bailey recalls. “If we couldn’t find a hotel that would accommodate us because we were Black, everyone would send me to knock on the doors of private homes to ask if we could stay the night because I had the lightest complexion on the bus.” 

Born in Savannah, Georgia, to a 16-year-old mother, Bailey’s life began during a time of hardship and uncertainty. Her mother later moved to Hoboken, New Jersey, before settling in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, where Anna was raised in a 14-room brownstone that became the foundation for a life defined by perseverance, grace, and determination.

For decades, Anna Bailey has been admired not only for her beauty and elegance but also for her optimism, resilience, and enduring love of life. As she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday, one question follows her everywhere she goes: 

“What’s your secret?” 

In this exclusive interview, Anna Bailey shares her reflections on longevity, love, loss, health, happiness, and the lessons she’s learned over an unforgettable century of living. 

When you are alone and thinking about being 100 years of age, what crosses your mind? 

I’m not a gloomy person. I’m just happy that I’ve made it to 100, and I feel good. I love myself and I love everybody — I love life. I’m glad to still be living and I hope I live for a long time because there is still so much I want to do, see and travel. 

What is your secret to living for one hundred years? 

People ask me all the time, “What is my secret?” I tell them there is no secret — you just feel good and take care of yourself. Also, pray that you will be around because there are so many things you want to do and see. 

So, you do believe in going to the doctor? 

Yes, I do go to the doctor regularly and when I come out of the doctor’s office and the doctor says, “Everything is okay and you are in good shape,” that’s when I’m happy. I feel good when I go to the doctor, never nervous because I’m doing something for myself. 

Did you go to get your mammograms? 

Yes, I would go for many years to get a mammogram. I would again be happy when my breast health reports were positive. It’s important to check on your breast health. And don’t put it off like it’s a bother, early detection is the key to fighting breast cancer. 

You were married some 60-plus years before your husband, William H. Bob Bailey, passed on in 2014. How do you feel about turning 100 without your husband? 

I really miss him so much. I go by the table and look at his picture, and I rub my fingers across the top of the frame. I really miss him. I guess he is in a better place, and he had to go. I know he would have loved to be here and look out at the lake, and we would take walks together; I wish for him a lot. 

Do you think love dies after a loved one passes on? 

I don’t think love dies because you have your memories. Periodically, I go through sadness when I think about my husband, and the fact that he couldn’t live longer and enjoy the things he accomplished for me and himself. 

If you meet someone new at 100 years, do you think you can have a relationship? 

If the person I meet has good character and is emotionally passionate like my late husband, I think I would enjoy that relationship. But I know at 100 it’s almost impossible to meet somebody because a lot of men don’t want to be bothered watching a lady get older. I’m at peace being by myself at this age. I have my memories. 

What is your fondest memory of being married? 

The joy that the marriage gave me. My husband was always very good at complementing me and saying nice things to me. I don’t remember anything negative. I was always treated like a queen. I just miss his presence. 

What is the key to good money management throughout your life? 

Make sure to manage your finances, or you risk losing your happiness. Just take care of business. Have savings for a rainy day and it will give you a sense of financial security. You must watch your money and just don’t throw it away. 

Do you ever think about your own mortality? 

No, I just try to be the best I can and stay positive. I keep nice thoughts in my mind and just stay happy for the things I have. I don’t think about the things I don’t have. I’m grateful for what I have every day I wake up. I have a wonderful family, and this makes me so happy. 

How do you want people in Las Vegas to remember you? 

I want them to remember I was a joyful person. And I really tried hard to not give anybody any problems. I hope people remember that I was always up and about. I loved to go out to catch a great show on the Las Vegas strip and travel and have a great time. All the positive things. 

What are some of your beauty secrets? 

I haven’t had any cosmetic surgery. I believe you can’t drink alcohol a lot, everything in moderation. Stay out of direct sunlight and wear a sun block if you are outside, especially in the summer months. My hair just grows, and I just try to massage my scalp each night. I try to walk as much as I can and get some movement into my daily routine. I am serious about being happy and around other happy people. I really stay away from anything that is stressful. I try not to frown and wrinkle up my face. My mother used to give me a spoonful of castor oil every day when I was young. I think that has helped my immune system. I use great lotions and moisturize my skin. When I wake up in the morning, I am happy, and I celebrate the day. 

You have a small dog? 

Yes, I have a rescue dog, Brownie. I love him so much and he is my buddy. We are together 24 hours a day. He is almost 16 years old now, and we wake up together, and he sleeps right at my bed side at night. A dog will make you very happy and they are good company — they don’t talk back. 

You are a fashion diva? 

I’m ready to go shopping at Macy’s right now (laughs). I love to look good and take a nice shower and put on a great outfit. It makes me feel good. When someone looks at me with a smile, I know I must be looking pretty good.