On her 90th birthday, the legendary actress Shirley MacLaine shared the secret of her longevity. MacLaine told PEOPLE that she largely attributes it to her experience in dancing.

«I started dancing at the age of three and stopped around 67. It taught me discipline, a love for music, working with people, and dealing with pain,» says MacLaine, who began her career on Broadway before achieving great success in Hollywood.

She noted that she is grateful «to still be able to work.» «I have friends, and I am genuinely healthy,» she says.

MacLaine is gearing up for an exciting year. The actress will soon begin filming the new movie «People Not Places» in Atlantic City.

She will also release the book «The Wall of Life,» which is set to be published on October 22nd. «I’ve lived a wonderful life and wanted to share it,» MacLaine notes in her book.

«I have, as I see it, just a perfect life… I eat what I want, sleep when I want,» she said in 2019. «Learn to merge with nature,» she explained. «Around me [in New Mexico] are all the animals. That’s all I need for happiness.»