8.19.2009

Older is the Wiser



I'm going out there, emerging from a 3 year hiatus from the business world. Wiser yes, older, oh ya, that too. I never gave aging much consideration; as if it were never going to reach out to me. I was too preoccupied with my daily tasks and the needs of my tots and teens, not to forget my career. You know the elaborate stuff such as tonsillectomies, stitches, teacher-parent conferences and work place drama. I never presumed life would pass before my eyes like Haley's comet. "Getting old, was for old people."

While my mind whirls from the idea of re-inventing one's self as I start this new chapter in life, I draw inspiration from women who age gracefully and seem to fight-off the rocking chair beneath their knee's. Maybe this explains the motorcycle license at 49 and a few other infarction's I will plead forgetfulness to. Do I like aging, not in a long shot. I realize now that life is scant and if you really live it, hopefully it becomes more scandalous.

So I say, "bring it on" - as I've got party hat firmly attached.


Carmen Dell'Orefice - 78
America's oldest working model whose career began in the 40's. In the 1980s and 1990s, Carmen lost most of her money in the stock market. She was forced to auction off her famous modeling photographs from the 1940s-1980s through Sotheby's.

In 2008 Carmen lost all her savings yet again due to swindler/slime bucket - Bernard Madoff.

Totally unabashed about her age, she recently told THE TELEGRAPH, "How many other ladies can say that the snapshot on their senior citizen's card was taken by Norman Parkinson?"

Carmen's big beauty secret boils down to nothing more complex than a unpromising-sounding product called Bag Balm, an ointment developed by a dairy farmer for softening cow teats. Now it's mainly used for equine purposes, 'and if it's good enough for horses, it's good enough for me.'

Diane Keaton - 63
In July 2001, Keaton publicly announced that she had given up pursuing romance, and stated, "I don't think that because I'm not married it's made my life any less. That old maid myth is garbage".


"A male actor can fly a plane, fight a war, shoot a badman, pull off a sting, impersonate a big cheese in business or politics. Men are presumed to be interesting. A female can play a wife, play a whore, get pregnant, lose her baby, and, um, let's see ... Women are presumed to be dull. ..", Diane Keaton.

Kristin Scott Thomas - 49
Quote: " I never go straight to the point if I can go the most difficult way. Why be simple when you can be complicated?


Kristin supposedly had a brief romance with Prince while making 1986's, Under The Cherry Moon

Angelica Houston - 58
Huston spent most of her childhood in Ireland and England. She grew up in Clarence House near Galway. Huston has never had children and states that she does not regret it.


Lauren Hutton - 65
In October 2005, at the age of 61, Hutton agreed to pose nude for Big magazine. "I want them (women) not to be ashamed of who they are when they're in bed", Hutton told ABC's "Good Morning America."


At the age of 55, Hutton was involved in a serious motorcycle accident while riding outside Las Vegas with fellow bikers including Dennis Hopper and Jeremy Irons .


Ali McGraw - 71
In 1972, after appearing in only four films, she had her footprints and autograph engraved at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Catherine Deneuve - 65
Deneuve is considered designer Yves Saint Laurent's muse.

In late 2007, Deneuve began appearing in the new Louis Vuitton luggage advertisements. Louis Vuitton made a donation to The Climate Project, spearheaded by Al Gore, on behalf of Deneuve.

Julie Christie - 68
She was a pop icon of the "swinging London" era of the 1960s

Ex-lover Warren Beatty once described her as "the most beautiful and at the same time the most nervous person I had ever known."

Sophia Loren - 74
Ms. Loren once said of her famous curves, "Everything you see I owe to spaghetti." Sophia reportedly hates beauty salons and does her hair and nails herself. Loren has a 40 film career starting in the 1950's.

Dame Helen Mirren - 64
Mirren was born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov. Mirren has no children and says she has "no maternal instinct whatsoever."

On playing erotic scenes as an older actor…"As you get older, naked stuff gets easier. There's a liberation about it."

And in a separate interview with The Guardian, Dame Helen ruminated on life in one’s sixties: "It's brilliant, really, the way life organizes itself, because you just slowly get used to what you are, don't you?"

Vanessa Redgrave - 72
Laurence Olivier announced her birth to the audience for a performance of Hamlet at the Old Vic in London.

Quote; "As a mother you have got to have a view for now and a view for the future."


Blythe Danner - 66
American Emmy and Tony award winning actress + mum-in-law to Coldplay's Chris Martin.

Dame Judi Dench - 74
Originally trained as a set designer, Dench began her acting career in the mid 1950s. Dench was awarded the OBE in 1970, became a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1988. Her 'filmography' list begins in 1966 to the 23rd Bond movie to be released in 2010.

Andie Mac Dowell - 51
Mac Dowell model turned actress, worked with such esteemed photographers as Bruce Weber, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Irving Penn and Herb Ritts among others.


Beverly Johnson - 56
She made history when she rose to fame as the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974


Isabella Rossellini - 57
Daughter to iconic Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman & Italian film director Roberto Rossellini, and twin sister to Isotta Ingrid. Rossellini is an Italian actress, filmmaker, author, philanthropist and model. She is involved in training guide dogs for the blind and a National Ambassador for the US Fund for UNICIF.

What's impressive - all photos of these stunning women are from
2008 - 2009



{go forth & live responsibly}
age is perfection



credits; wikipedia.com; life.com; huffingtonpost.com; flickr.com

48 comments:

Janet said...

All beautiful women. Cathrine Deneuve's glasses are great. Vanessa Redgraves skin looks awesome.

I'm having a little vanity problem with the aging thing. It's nice to see women who are doing it so gracefully.

Thanks for a great post.

Pretty Neat Designs said...

Very nice perspective. How can you not want to be in their company?!

Kitty said...

amazing, every one of them --- but sophia has always been my favorite! thanks!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful, inspirational, beautiful post! I enjoyed reading thorough it! Every one of this gorgeous ladies will always be amazing.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Well gives me hope!
Kristin Scott Thomas's age surprised me [who knew?] I suspect Blythe Danner's had some work

Deb these are ALL fabulous women, It's ahrd not to admire them all. But my favourite is Dianne Keaton. She always seems like an old best friend. What a star.. I just love her to bits. [and good to know being single is ok too!! haha]

xx Julie

LenoreNeverM♡re said...

Fabulous ladies!!!
Diane Keaton has got to be my fave...love her charming personality & quirks. Have you seen her homes that she has done? Her style is so CHARMing!

xo*

Christy said...

They are all very beautiful - as was your post! Just loved reading every bit of it.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Carmen simply must have been touched by a wizard, don't you think?? Just amazing. And I want to be Helen Mirren when I grow up. I love it so much that most of these glorious creatures still have their original faces!! Bravo and Thank God for that!

SpryOnTheWall said...

Amazing, amazing, amazing post!!! I LOVED reading it! Carmen is divine, I'm so sad to hear that scumbag Madoff swindled her too. She is so beautiful and regal! Fun fact, my Dad knew Andy MacDowell (or Rose if I'm not mistaken, which is her real name) growing up. Her family used to visit Asheville, NC - she's originally from upstate SC. In fact she moved back to Asheville and lives there now!

Averill said...

You've included some of my favorite women (of any age): Judi Dench, Isabella Rossalini, Angelica Huston -- divine, darling!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

All incredibly beautiful women! That bod on Helen Mirren. Crazy!

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh my gosh what totally awesome women. Look at the figure of Helen Mirren .. wow. I think Kristin is 49 though. Julie Christie just looks amazing, so beautiful.A lot of my favorite women there.

Really great post, thanks for the inspiration.
xoxo

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Deb...I love you!!!! Giving all of us oldies HOPE!!!!!
All of these women look fabulous and I don't think that many of them have been under the knife....if they have, I don't think that they've had much done.
I can't believe some of their ages...Ali McGraw 71...can't believe it...bit scary actually!! and Kristin Scott Thomas...I didn't know that she was 63. I'm off to slaver creams, lotions and potions all over my face and body!!!!There's still hope !!! XXXX

Dumbwit Tellher said...

OMG - my apologies to KST & you all; she is NOT 63 but 49. I'm afraid "I" had a senior moment..lol

annechovie said...

Deb, I predict you will be a roaring success. You are young at heart and have inward and outward beauty and that's what will keep giving you that innate youthfulness and vivacious quality. Have a terrific weekend!

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

What an awesome lineup of great women! I love the line in the movie Women the character played by Annette Bening drops when approached by a sales person at Saks, offering her anti aging creme, "this is my face, deal with it!" She proclaims.

Haute World said...

I have no doubt you'll take the business world by storm! All these women you posted about are fabulous, both then and now. I couldn't even pick a favorite! They're all beautiful, but what's even more important is that they're witty, smart and never give up. It's the reason they're still around and others (like Ms. Spears) are no longer talked about.

Unknown said...

Wow, i find this post so inspiring. Carmen Dell'Orefice is so beautiful. Its so good to see older looking georgous women. It makes me less afraid of getting old (and I am getting there). good luck with going back to work. I'm rooting for you!

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

What a glorious assemblage! Each one- oh she's my favorite- then she is etc. It is impossible to narrow it down- but Ali McGraw, Julie Christie are tops. Great to see them in the life photographs too. G.

Heidi said...

Thanks for doing a bit of research for me. I do appreciate it very much. Thanks for your support, it seems I can only really get excited and share it with you all, since it makes everyone around me uncomfortable and that just makes me feel like the crazy person in the room. Have a great weekend, Heidi

Anonymous said...

Every single one of these women (except for Diane Keaton) has had extensive work done. They've been shot up with fillers and botox to halt the ravages of time. Understandably, they are in front of the camera and need to look their best, but women shouldn't be deceived that these actresses have somehow aged gracefully and have some secret elixir.

drollgirl said...

i am so glad i got to see and read this post. i turned 39 this year, and it was hard. real hard. but, i had to get over my pity trip and figure it is up to make my life what it should be. it is nice to read the thoughts of older successful and beautiful women, and for once focus on something besides just youth and beauty.

Duchess of Tea said...

Looking at them makes one to age now...wow, I never thought I would say that. I just read about Carmen on Anya's blog, Deneuve is my favorite. Darling, I just popped in to wish you a splendid weekend and to let you know that my daughter and I are going away for a few days to celebrate her birthday. I will be leaving Sunday. I will miss you terribly and will come over for a visit as soon as I return.

♥ Hugs ♥

Duchess

sallymandy said...

Beverly Johnson....just gorgeous! Thank you for all these inspiring pix.

Julie B. [Holland] said...

First of all best of luck on your adventure, hope it all works out. Of these woman I have to say I like Diane Keaton and admire her and her work,she has always been a favorite as many of the woman pictured. I was shocked to see Ali Mcgraw was 71.
wow... Thanks for the post it was very inspiring.
Julie in Holland...

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Thank you to all for your incredible, wise & thoughtful comments. It's amazing what kind of reaction we get in support of the aging factor!
By no means did I mean to imply that these woman had not had any "work or fillers" done. What I was primarily thinking was I love the way these woman live fully; do remarkable things for others, and give me hope (filler & all) for maintaining your feminism throughout life. Those that have had work, at least they didn't go over the top like Joan Rivers. Would I do fillers, you betcha if it makes me feel better about myself. Just so you know where to stop before you turn into a circus freak! Thank you everyone, I appreciate you all ~ Deb♥

Snowbrush said...

Catherine Deneuve, now THAT was a woman I used to lust after when "The April Fools" came out.

"age is perfection" Well, except, maybe for the stiff joints and the bad eyesight--among other maladies.

Actually, at 60, I must confess that I am not fond of it at all. Nature apparently intended that we die not too long after we passed our prime parenting years, but science is enabling us to hang in there through a dotage that is not terribly impressive (physically or mentally, in most cases) and certainly not comfortable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Even though it does not represent my view, it represents the fact that a more upbeat view is at least possible. Thank you.

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

A lovely series of mature beauty. They are all beautiful and have an inner confidence in their age that comes through.......think that might be the secret?

pve design said...

What a tribute to women who age with grace and glamour!
I consider myself a follower...
pve

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Yikes! There's hope??? I cannot believe Ali McGraw is 71? How can that be??? WOW....what lovely women you've chosen to honor....

Hugs!
Spencer

Mel said...

What a great post, and how lovely to read it on my BIRTHDAY of all things; as the years pass, I become increasingly ambivalent about them, to be sure. Recently I found that a reunion website had aged me 20 years-- now that really makes you think. About perceptions, maintaining, growing-- the lot. When I in a huff wrote about it on my blog, I listed many of your same lovely ladies for backup, but truly you've shown all my very favs! To see them in gathered here is no coincidence; if we are strong in our selves we can and MUST become better as we age. (And until now, I had no idea of Dame Judy's exact title! I stands to reason, I guess, doesn't it!) ;)

Thanks for a heartening post, a gift really. Lovely blog.

Circe

Keith said...

Great photos. These are some beautiful and incredible women.

Simply Mel {Reverie} said...

Here's to growing more beautiful and confident with age! Delightful and inspiring post!

Kellie Collis said...

Can you believe Sophia Loren!? Here's to me looking like that hehe! x

Anonymous said...

Certainly, a list of iconic women. I remember Sophia Loren made a big impression on me. Her movies are fondly remembered & always bring a smile to my face when I see them again.

Alexander Dyle

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

These women are beautiful, ageless and timeless. I love this post.

Vanya Wilkinson said...

wonderful, very inspiring and thank you for your kind comment on my blog :)

Jenn @ Dear Heart said...

I'm a little late reading this post, but I just LOVE it. So many inspiring women. I wish we as a society would stop putting an expiration date on female beauty. These women are all still physically stunning and I love that confident vibe that only comes with real life experience.

lucitebox said...

I'm stopping by to say thanks for this fantastic post. I'm having my photo taken today and have been fretting over my wrinkles along with some other less than youthful aspects of my appearance.

I'm going to be thinking of these confident older broads when the shutter clicks!

BLUEBRASIL said...

Gorgeous women, if any are free for a coffee please call?

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