Suzanne Dando, on her Life at 50 and How Older is Wiser
Fabafterfifty: Celebrity Interviews
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Interview by Ceri Wheeldon Former Olympic gymnast, TV presenter Suzanne Dando talks to Fabafterfifty about her life at 50. How did you feel approaching your 50th birthday? What struck me was how different I felt approaching 50 to how I felt when I approached my 40th birthday. In the latter part of my 40s I was aware that I was feeling different physically. My 40th didn’t bother me at all, but my 50th felt quite different. I started going through the menopause at the end of my 40s and had some debilitating days which I didn’t enjoy one bit and have to admit to feeling slightly depressed over. As a broadcaster, producers/bosses have in the past, inquired how old I am. It would be good for women to be judged on ability and not just how they look on the eye. It seems younger faces are wanted on TV. I...
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Lulu talks about her Reinvention and New Career in her 60s
Article by Lulu Life is full of surprises at every age. I never would have thought I would have my own skincare range in my 60’s! In my professional career, I’ve been many things – actor, singer, songwriter…And while I have always been very driven to find the best products and ingredients (because I’ve been in the spotlight since 15 and it’s been my job to look good), it never occurred to me that I would add beauty “entrepreneur” to my resume – especially at this stage in my life. It’s easy to sit back and ‘put our feet up’ once we’ve reached a certain age. We think we’ve accomplished all we can and seen all we’re meant to see. Too many people believe life has passed them by and lose their “lust” for life! In the entertainment business, you must always be open to changes and opportunities as they...
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Ruby Wax talks to Fabafterfifty about life after 50 and coping with depression
Article by Fabafterfifty I was thrilled to have the chance to catch up with Ruby Wax to talk about her views on turning 50 and plans for the future and the important work she’s doing to take away the stigma often associated with depression . Q. How did you view turning 50? A. For me I see turning 50 is an opportunity to reinvent yourself. It’s a point in your life which you know is coming, and you need to prepare for it. I knew I would have to do something different , and last year I went to school at Oxford! My kids are SO jealous as I have got to Oxford before them. I’m studying mindfulness based cognitive therapy. It was painful for me to not be in showbusiness in the way I was before. I believe certain jobs require a ‘young’ brain, others require an ‘older’ brain, we...
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Interview with Ruth Langsford on life after 50
Article by Fabafterfifty As Ruth Langsford becomes the new face of lingerie brand Playtex at the age of 51, I was given the chance to pop along and have chat with Ruth to ask her about her life in her 50s. How do you feel about being in your 50s? Live life to the full, that’s my philosophy, I ‘m not ready to give up yet ! What would you say to women who say they feel invisible in their 50s? On the subject of being invisible- don’t let yourself! Do something you enjoy, be interested in things, wear those high heels ! Do something new. Don’t be a victim. As women we have spent a lot of our lives up to this point looking after others. Typically in our 50s we have more time and often more disposable income, so women should not feel guilty about spending on themselves-...
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Arlene Phillips talks about life after 50!
Article by Fabafterfifty We were thrilled when Arlene Phillips shared her thoughts on life after 50 with Fabafterfifty readers. Be inspired as Arlene talks about her career, her family and hopes and plans for the future! Q. How has your career progressed since turning 50? A. I wouldn’t say my career has progressed since turning 50, but as they say with age comes wisdom so possibly my insight and understanding into what I do has made a difference to my work. And of course becoming a public figure through appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. Q. Have you taken on any projects which have pushed you out of your comfort zone? A. Any project I’m involved with pushes me out of my comfort zone, nothing is ever easy! Q. Do you feel that ‘age’ has held you back at all in achieving your career goals A. Age has never held me...
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Interview with psychologist and author Marie de Hennezel
Article by Fabafterfifty Marie de Hennezel, is the author of The Warmth of the Heart prevents your Body from Rusting- Ageing without Growing Old. As a respected psychologist and psychotherapist and advisor to the Ministry of Health in France, Marie has spent much of her career working with those at the end of their lives. Marie admits to having her own difficulties in coming to terms with the ageing process, have succumbed to depression at the age of 60. However, drawing on her own experience and encounters with some remarkable individuals , she now believes that that our later years could be the best of our lives. Intergenerational Living Q. You talk about intergenerational living in your book- where have you seen this work well? A. In western society we have lost the benefit of people living in extended families. In France there is a scheme where students live with...
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Turning 50 has been Great- according to Greta Scacchi
Article by Jill Shaw Ruddock Turning 50 has been great according to Greta Scacchi when she was interviewed by Jill Shaw Ruddock, along with other inspirational women over 50 including Ruby Wax and Dame Harriet Walter. Here’s what they had to say: “Turning 50 has been great! After feeling so gloomy and doomy about the prospect on my 49th birthday, it has been a surprisingly uplifting experience for me. The new-found lightness and joy is mainly, I think, that I feel I am finally living in the present. Hurray! ‘I have suspected for decades that in the struggle to find happiness, confidence and serenity – “living in the moment” – is the key, but how to realise this simple yet highly elusive concept? It seemed ever to escape me. ‘I believe it took turning 50 for me to confront the brutal reality that I am well over halfway through my...
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Interview With Jane Shilling- author of ‘The Stranger in the Mirror’
Article by Fabafterfifty With Jane Shilling’s book, Stranger in the Mirror, in which she explores her own reaction to her loss of youth, flying off the bookshelves, we couldn’t resist putting our questions to her: The Stranger in the Mirror was described by one reviewer as ‘HRT in book form’, so we couldn’t wait to see what Jane had to say! Q. Has writing the book refined your perception of what middle-age is? A. I’m not sure that it has. After all, what I was doing was describing an experience that was happening to me, more or less as it happened. As I say in the book, I was more interested in describing the experience than defining it, and I’m not sure that it is possible to formulate a handy catch-all description of middle age that will be recognizable to everyone. I think being middle aged has changed my perceptions... -
Interview with Nancy Meyers Director of ‘Its Complicated’
Article by Fabafterfifty Fabafterfifty was thrilled to be offered an exclusive interview with ‘It’s Complicated’ acclaimed writer-director Nancy Meyers (‘The Holiday’, ‘Something’s Gotta Give’ It’s Complicated’ is a hilarious comedy For anyone who missed the film, we have some great clips! The film has an all-star cast including two-time Academy AwardTM winner Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. It’s Complicated, is a hilarious comedy about love, divorce and everything in between! Nominated for three Golden GlobesTM including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Screenplay, It’s Complicated is released on DVD and Blu-ray on 10 May 2010 from Universal Pictures (UK). Jane (Streep; Julie & Julia, Mamma Mia) is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has – after a decade of divorce – an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake (Baldwin; 30 Rock, My Sister’s Keeper). However, when Jane and Jake... -
Interview with Marcella Detroit , from Popstar to Opera Star and Life after 50
Article by Fabafterfifty Marcella Detroit, AKA Marcy Levy describes herself as a musician, singer and songwriter, and most importantly, an artist. Marcella shows that our 50s are a time to take advantage of opportunities Most recently seen on our TV screens on Popstar to Opera Star, Marcella gave an unforgettable rendition of Mozart’s Queen of the Night from the Magic Flute- proving that she is most definitely a woman of many talents, and proving to us that our 50s are a time to take opportunities when we have the chance. Fabafterfifty was delighted to be offered the chance to chat to Marcella and find out what being in her 50s means to her, her new projects and plans for the future. 50 is just a number Marcella reluctantly registered her own 50th birthday, but in her own words saw it as ‘just a number’, and believes that age...
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