Most people in ancient Egypt would not have lived beyond 40 years old. Many children died within the first years of life. Many women died young during pregnancy and childbirth. The ideal was to live to one hundred and ten, in 'revered old age'. Few people achieved this. Richer people were more likely to live longer because they had better food and an eaiser working life. Just like today, poorer people had a shorter life span due to the hardship of their working life and a limited diet.