In a world where love stories often raise eyebrows, few are as surprising — or as inspiring — as that of 93-year-old Melbourne doctor John Levin and his 37-year-old wife, Dr. Yangying Lu.
The couple, who became parents to a baby boy in 2024, are now hoping to expand their family once again.
For Dr. Levin, who’s dedicated his career to promoting healthy ageing, life has come full circle — from guiding patients on longevity to embracing it personally as one of the world’s oldest new fathers.
From Tragedy to New Beginnings
Before meeting Dr. Lu, Dr. Levin had already lived a full life.
He was married to his first wife, Veronica, for 57 years until her passing in 2013.
Together, they had three children — one of whom sadly died at the age of 65.
After Veronica’s death, the Hampton East GP decided to pursue something new: he began learning Chinese.
That’s where his path crossed with Yangying, his language teacher.
Their connection quickly deepened, and in 2014, the pair tied the knot in Las Vegas — a spontaneous start to what would become an extraordinary chapter.
Welcoming Baby Gabby
In February 2024, after a long and emotional fertility journey involving donor sperm and IVF, the couple welcomed their son, Gabby.
For Dr. Levin, it was a moment he described as “unbelievable.”
Despite his age, he’s determined to be present for his son’s most important milestones. “Of course, being there for his 21st is a goal,” he told Herald Sun.
Another dream close to his heart is guiding Gabby through his bar mitzvah — reading the Torah together when the time comes.
Planning for Baby Number Two
Little Gabby may still be an infant, but his parents are already thinking ahead.
The couple have reportedly restarted the IVF process, hoping to welcome a daughter next.
“We’re thinking of another one,” Dr. Levin told Nova 100. “We’d like to have a little girl.”
While Dr. Levin sounded enthusiastic about expanding their family, Dr. Lu added with a smile, “We’re still talking!”
Finding Meaning in Motherhood
Dr. Lu admits she didn’t always plan to have children.
That changed during Melbourne’s Covid lockdowns, when time at home prompted deep reflection.
“We did some soul-searching, asking ourselves what we really wanted in life,” she said.
“I thought to myself, if I lose him, I want a part of him. I wanted to have a child.”
She also recognizes how fortunate they were to conceive quickly. “We achieved a pregnancy on the first try,” she explained.
“It can be so difficult for many women. One of my mothers’ group took 14 cycles to produce her daughter.”
Responding to the Critics
The couple’s 56-year age gap has inevitably drawn criticism, but Dr. Lu is quick to dismiss any suggestions that her relationship was motivated by money.
“When I met him, he was bankrupt,” she said firmly. “It was love, not wealth, that brought us together.”
She also laughed off the confusion people often have about their family.
“People think at first that Gabby is Johnny’s grandson — or even great-grandson,” she said. “When we explain, they’re shocked.
But for us, it’s about what makes us happy. We can’t control how others feel.”
A Modern Family with Deep Roots
Dr. Lu, who is currently converting to Judaism, says she’s fully prepared for the possibility of parenting on her own one day.
“Families come in all shapes and sizes,” she shared. “If others can make it work, so can I.”
Thankfully, she isn’t alone. Gabby’s maternal grandmother helps with childcare, and Dr. Levin’s large extended family — including his surviving children, Ashley (62) and Samantha (60), as well as ten grandchildren and a great-granddaughter — provide an invaluable support network.
The Secret Behind His Longevity
As a GP specializing in anti-ageing, Dr. Levin has spent nearly 20 years advising patients on how to stay healthy well into their senior years. He practices what he preaches — maintaining a strict daily routine.
For three decades,
he’s used human growth hormone, avoids alcohol and smoking, eats mostly vegetarian meals, and skips breakfast entirely.
The doctor also hits the gym regularly, proving that discipline and mindset can stretch the limits of time.
A Love That Redefines Age
For Dr. Levin and Dr. Lu, their story is less about defying norms and more about embracing life’s possibilities.
Whether or not they welcome another baby, their bond stands as proof that love and family aren’t bound by age — but by the choices that bring happiness.
As Dr. Levin put it simply, “It’s about being there — for the people you love, for as long as life allows.”