He may be 91, but Willie Nelson says he isn’t concerned about his mortality.
The country singer shared his thoughts about dying in an interview with AP News on Friday, November 1.
“Well, I’m 91 plus, so, you know, I’m not worried about it,” he told the outlet. “I don’t feel bad. I don’t hurt anywhere. I don’t have any reason to worry about dying. But I don’t know anybody who’s lived forever.”
He added, “I take pretty good care of myself. And I feel like I’m in pretty good shape physically.” before joking, “Mentally? That’s another story.”
Nelson, who released his 153rd album, Last Leaf on the Tree, on Friday, November 1, also touched on what he hoped his legacy would be after his eventual passing.
“I had a good time. And I did what I came here to do: make music,” he said.
It’s not the first time Nelson has reflected on the concept of aging. He’s previously shared that he believes the secret to his longevity is a positive attitude.
“I appreciate everything I get and I’ve been lucky,” he told Forbes in April 2023. “I’m a little bit amazed that I’m first of all still here, [And] I’m having a good time. I’m enjoying the singing, I think it’s good for me. People come up, right away, pay some money to come hear me or somebody sing, and it’s a great energy exchange out there and I look forward to it every time.”
The musician further divulged what he does day-to-day to contribute to a long life, during an interview with Parade in April 2023.
“You have to do something every day to pay for the day,” Nelson told the outlet. “You need to run, walk, swim, sing; whatever it is that’s important to you, you have to do it and then see how long you can keep doing it.”
Meanwhile, he told Slate in December 2020 that he was surprised he was still alive past his 20s as he reflected on his youth.
“Well, when I was young, I was pretty dumb. And now that I’m older, I’m pretty f—ing dumb. I don’t know everything, and I think I do. So there’s the problem,” he said. “I didn’t ever think I’d get this old. I always thought I was lucky to make it past 21.”
And while the veteran star has no plans to retire, he told People in May 2023 that he is slowing down the pace he does things.
“There’s probably other things I will do and can do, but I’m not going to push myself too hard,” he said. “I know one day it all ends, but I’m not rushing it.”
