It was a scene straight out of a Bond movie. Two aging autocrats, accompanied by their younger ally, strolled down a red-carpeted ramp before a military parade in Beijing. A hot mic picked up a question that seemed to be on their minds: how long could they keep going—and, reading between the lines, could science help them rule forever?
With advances in technology, Russia’s Vladimir Putin assured Xi Jinping through his translator that “human organs can be constantly transplanted, to the point where people might even get younger, perhaps even become immortal.”
The Chinese leader replied, “By the end of this century, people may live to be 150 years old.”
Nearby, North Korea’s Kim Jong-un—three decades younger than the two 72-year-olds—seemed to take note with a smile.
Beijing’s hot-mic moment has sparked gossip about the leaders’ shelf life and, inevitably, speculation about how far they might go to stop the clock.
For now, there’s no sign that any of the three intends to loosen their grip on power. Each seems set to rule as long as their health allows, and none has offered a clear succession plan.
Thanks to constitutional changes Putin pushed through in 2020, he could remain in power until 2036, when he’ll be 83—surpassing even Joseph Stalin’s time in office.
Xi, by purging both allies and rivals, has dismantled the Communist Party’s once-established tradition of grooming successors. In totalitarian North Korea, succession has always been determined only by death.
The leaders’ pursuit of longevity is nothing new. Rulers have long sought ways to extend both their lives and their rule.
China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (259–210 BC), sent expeditions to the mythical Mount Penglai in search of an elixir for eternal life—though the mercury potions he drank may have actually hastened his death.
Legend says Alexander the Great roamed the “Land of Darkness,” a perpetually dark mythical forest, in his quest for the water of life.
Centuries later, Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi tackled the same challenge with his usual flair—through hair transplants, cosmetic surgery, and blood treatments—in an effort to appear invincible on the political stage.
Around the same time, Kazakhstan’s autocratic president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, ordered an institute in Astana to study “rejuvenation of the organism,” the human genome, and gene-based medicines.
“As for the medicine of the future, people of my age are really hoping all of this will happen as soon as possible,” Nazarbayev told local Kazakh scientists in 2010.
Berlusconi eventually died at 86 after battling a routine lung infection. Nazarbayev was pushed aside following unrest in Kazakhstan in 2022, his family removed from power; he is now 85.
Putin, who knew both men well, appears to be taking things further—pursuing the most ambitious and well-funded path toward longevity and life extension.
The Russian leader has long been obsessed with health: he’s said to rely on a team of doctors and turn to alternative medicine in his quest for vitality.
But those who study him say it’s not just about staying healthy—it’s about extending life itself.
“In his conversation with Xi, Putin spoke about a topic that genuinely interests him,” said Mikhail Rubin, a Russian journalist who recently co-authored a biography of the president.
“It’s important to understand that even at the time of this exchange, there was almost certainly a whole team of doctors somewhere nearby,” he added.
According to Rubin, there’s little to suggest Putin needs constant medical care; he appears healthy for his age, yet still routinely travels with a large entourage of doctors from various specialties.
That suggests the Russian president is preoccupied with maintaining his health and prolonging his life.”Putin is preoccupied with his health and longevity,” Rubin said. “I believe he dreams of ruling for many more years and places great hope in the progress of modern medicine,” he added.
Putin has been open about his interest in extending life, and at a press conference on Wednesday, he freely shared his private thoughts on longevity. “Modern methods of improving health, including surgical procedures like organ replacement, give humanity hope that life expectancy will increase significantly,” Putin told reporters in Beijing.
Mikhail Kovalchuk, a longtime family friend often called Putin’s favorite scientist, is reportedly leading Russia’s research into immortality. According to the independent outlet Meduza, Kovalchuk has set up several institutes with millions in state funding to invest in new technologies, such as printing organs using lab-grown cells.
Putin’s eldest daughter, Maria Vorontsova, a trained endocrinologist, has also received substantial government grants to study ways of extending human health and lifespan. She is involved in a genetic research program connected to Kovalchuk.
The Russian elite’s pursuit of eternal life has even influenced the country’s pop culture. It inspired the 2024 satirical novel Mouse by Russian writer Ivan Filippov, which tells the story of an infected rodent that escapes from a research institute where scientists are developing a drug to prolong Putin’s life.
“To be honest, I wasn’t that surprised by Putin’s hot mic comments,” Filippov told the Guardian. “My story came from reality. With Putin, it’s obvious: he’s practically obsessed with the idea of living forever, or at least longer than fate allows.” He added, “In my book, this obsession ends badly for everyone.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about healthy living longevity science and the team reportedly advising Vladimir Putin presented in a clear and natural tone
General Healthy Living Longevity Science
Q What does healthy living actually mean
A Its a lifestyle that helps maintain and improve your health It mainly involves a balanced diet regular physical activity managing stress getting enough sleep and avoiding harmful habits like smoking
Q What are the most proven benefits of a healthy lifestyle
A It can help you live a longer higherquality life by significantly reducing your risk for major diseases like heart disease diabetes and certain cancers It also boosts your energy mood and mental clarity
Q Im just starting out Whats one small change I can make today
A A great first step is to replace one sugary drink with a glass of water each day Its simple but has a big impact on reducing empty calories and sugar intake
Q Is longevity mostly about genetics or can I control it
A While genetics play a role research shows that lifestyle factors like diet exercise and not smoking have a much larger influence on your lifespan and healthspan
Q What is biohacking in the context of longevity
A Biohacking refers to using science technology and selfexperimentation to optimize your body and mind For longevity this can include things like tracking sleep data using intermittent fasting or taking specific supplements often based on personal blood test results
The Science Behind Longevity
Q What is the most promising scientific area for extending human life
A Many scientists are excited about research into cellular aging This includes understanding telomeres and senolytics
Q How does fasting or calorie restriction help with longevity
A It triggers a process called autophagy where the body cleans out damaged cells and regenerates new ones This cellular housekeeping is believed to slow aging and reduce disease risk
Q Are longevity genes a real thing
