SAN DIEGO — If it wasn't for the party and cake, you'd never guess Rose Rosenberg is 100 years old. Along with her sharp wit, she has a sharp memory, remembering Japanese from a boat ride overseas and a sorority song from college.
Rosenberg grew up in Indiana as one of seven children of immigrant parents. She had a long and healthy marriage before her husband passed. She fell in love again with another partner, who later passed as well.
Rosenberg passed up on her dream job of being a famous movie star to be a cadet nurse in World War II.
"That was the toughest job I ever had in my life," Rosenberg said. "It was a very, very hard program."
Her daughter, Beth Alpert, set up Sunday's birthday party.
"The secret for a mother is to have a daughter," Rosenberg said. "The sons are great, but the daughter is there when you need it."
Alpert also reflected on her mother's long life.
"She always lived life to the fullest," Alpert said. "Always very busy, very active, golf, tennis, skiing, knitting, bridge, volunteering."
Always a fan of exercise and nutrition, Rosenberg shared her advice for a long and healthy life.
"Don't abuse yourself by eating junk and drinking junk, do exercise, a good walk most every day is really healthy for you and finding the right mate is most important thing you can do in life," she said.
And for her 100th birthday, Rosenberg is finally on TV.
"I can be a movie star at long last," she said.