It looks like usually, catalytic converters, if totally undamaged and treated correctly, shouldn't die with age. The article you referenced says,
The truth is, on modern vehicles, the catalytic converter should last the life of the car or truck, given an "average" life of about 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers).
However, this does not indicate how much longer after that you should expect your cat to last. And I question an average life of 100,000 miles... :)
According to agcoauto.com, cats are usually guaranteed for 80k miles:
The EPA mandates a warranty on most new vehicle converters. This warranty covers the converter and installation. Catalytic converters, found defective, may receive a no-charge replacement, for the term of the warranty. The term of the warranty is normally eight years or 80,000 miles. A few vehicles may also have a warranty extension beyond this.
One could assume that if they are guaranteed to 80k, they are expected to last a good bit longer than that.
That being said, treating your cat in a way which creates damage is quite easy to do: from agcoauto.com:
Too many short trips at low speed can also cause the catalytic converter to fail. Converters need highway driving to reach operating temperature. This is how they clean and regenerate the catalyst. If we do not drive our vehicle often or far enough, the converter may fail. Vehicles that get only intermittent use commonly have this problem.
Bottom line:
Essentially, a catalytic converter is a special structure of ceramic which is designed to renew itself automatically. Under ideal use, the car should die before the catalytic converter. However, mistreating it can be so simple that it may well croak before the end of the car's life.