'I Intend to Do This Until I Die': At 103 Years Old, 'Lobster Lady' Prepares for 95th Lobster Hauling Season Virginia Oliver started hauling lobsters almost a century ago.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

JOSEPH PREZIOSO | Getty Images
Virginia Oliver, the 'Lobster Lady' in 2021.

Virginia Oliver, who turned 103 on June 6, has been lobster hauling since she was 8 years old. Growing up in Maine, Oliver joined her older brother and father, who was a lobster dealer, on the family boat.

Almost a century later, Oliver is still committed to the fisherman lifestyle, revving up for her 95th lobster hauling season in a few weeks, The Washington Post reported.

Lobstering isn't exactly the easiest of professions, even for the most young and agile. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health labels lobster fishing as a "hazardous occupation" due to the risks of being pulled overboard and entanglement trap lines. Still, Oliver has committed her life to the work and doesn't intend to slow down anytime soon.

"You have to keep moving," Oliver told the outlet. "I intend to do this until I die."

Oliver has four children (three of whom followed her career path of lobstering) and two grandchildren. When she's not lobstering, she enjoys baking and cooking for her family, who come over every Saturday for dinner.

For 61 years, Oliver worked alongside her husband and fellow fisherman, Max Oliver, until his passing in 2006. Since then, Oliver's son, Max Jr., 80, works by her side as her lobster hauling partner.

Related: 3 Lessons I Learned About Work Ethic From Milking Cows With My Father Every Evening

During the peak lobster season (typically June to September), Oliver and her son hit the Maine waters three days a week — mornings that start around 3 a.m.

"I don't want to go five days, because that's a regular job, and I don't need that," Oliver says in the 2021 short documentary, Conversations with The Lobster Lady.

Oliver's youthful spirit and commitment to lobstering has garnered media attention over the years, and even inspired a children's book titled The Lobster Lady: Maine's 102-Year-Old Legend, published last year.

In the 2021 documentary, Oliver laughs about needing stitches after getting bitten by a crab during one of her excursions.

"[The doctor said], 'What are you doing out there, anyway?' and I said, Well that's because I want to go.' He really made me mad," she said in the film while laughing, "I'm pretty independent."

Related: 4 Reasons Following Your Passion Leads to Success

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Franchise

The 10 Best Franchises to Open in 2018

Here's everything you need to know about the startup costs, training and investment opportunities from the top 10 companies in our Franchise 500.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business Process

The Best Times, Days and Months To Post on YouTube (2023)

When is the best time to post YouTube videos to maximize their effect? Discover the best time to post on YouTube in this detailed guide.

Leadership

From Elite Athletes to Tech Titans — Discover the Surprising $100-Million Habit That Leads to Extraordinary Success

Success comes from mastering focus, eliminating distractions and prioritizing what truly matters.