Laila Ali says her father is doing well and still does humanitarian work.
The daughter of Muhammad Ali, a former undefeated champion herself, says he gets his energy from being around people.
Ali, 71, suffers from Parkinson's disease and his health has deteriorated. "It's a progressive disease, so it is progressing, but he handles it very well,” Laila said at the Claim Your Age Day event in Manhattan, New York, on Wednesday.
“He still gets out, does his humanitarian work. He loves people. I'm very proud of him," she said.
The event is part of a health campaign aimed at starting a conversation about ageing and living well. Passersby were invited to have their photograph taken while holding a board indicating their age. The image was then briefly shown on a large billboard in Times Square.
Ali said that as a fitness and wellness advocate, she was keen to be involved in the event. When she aged, she would like to feel good despite being older.
"I know it can be done because I see people who have done it. Older people who are still active, still fit, still have a zest for life, in the right place mentally, physically. Because they've taken care of themselves, they've made it a point to take care of themselves … that's what I want to do."
The 35-year-old Laila said boxing was her passion when she was younger, but it's her children that inspire her now. And she wants to ensure she will be around for them for a long time.
Laila, who has made several television appearances acting and presenting, said what she had learnt from her father was humility and treating people with kindness. He also taught her about ageing.
"I really learned from his example. He wasn't someone who was talking about getting old. So, this is my thing I'm doing now. He did his thing, I'm doing my thing."
The Pfizer "Get Old" wellness campaign is the result of a nationwide survey on ageing, which predicted that rising rates of chronic disease could affect 49 per cent of Americans by 2025.
