Aim The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of lower body function on mortality over 13 years of follow‐up study. Methods Data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly were used, and the Cox proportional hazard model of mortality on age sex, education, body mass index, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Mini‐Mental State Examination, any activities of daily living, walk score and short physical performance battery was applied. Results Results showed lower body function to be a strong predictor of mortality over 13 years, as indicated by walk and short physical performance battery scores, as well as any activities of daily living, depression and cognitive function. Furthermore, overweight or obese participants tended to live significantly longer over the long term. Conclusions Lower body function significantly impacts mortality at 2, 7 and 13 years of follow‐up study, but this association decreases in magnitude over time. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1324–1331.