by David Waddell
Published Mon, Feb 13th 2017, 14:09 | Health
In a world where genius is linked to youth, we often ignore or overlook the lives of those who achieved success at a later stage in their lives. Whether it’s Colonel Sanders who founded KFC in his 40s or Frank McCourt who wrote his first novel at the age of 66, their achievements are worth honoring. Here’s a look at eight senior success stories.
Audrey Crabtree
You can never be too old to finish your education. This is the lesson we learn from the life of Audrey Crabtree, who was finally awarded her diploma after 80 years of service. She was one credit shy of graduating. After dropping out of college due to an injury in 1932, she became a successful florist, brushed up her entrepreneurial skills and finally earned her honorary diploma.
Diana Nyad
Nyad gave major motivational and fitness goals in 2013 when she became the first person to have swim from Florida to Cuba without using any protective shark cage. She was 64 at that time. She had dreamed of this impossible swim ever since she was 8. After 5 unsuccessful tries in 35 years, she finally achieved her dream in her golden years.
Frank McCourt
Born and raised in Ireland, McCourt moved to US and served in the army during the Korean War. He spent the next 30 years teaching at a local college. After retiring, he penned his own memoir titled “Angela’s Ashes” in 1996, when he was 66. His book went on to become a bestseller. He penned two more books before his death in 2009 and is remembered as one of the best writers in US.
Noriko Shinohara
Much of Noriko’s life was overshadowed by her husband’s achievements in the field of arts. However, this did not stop her from making it big. In the latter half of her life, she learned various art techniques and created her own name as an artist in Brooklyn.
Estelle Getty
After acting onstage for more than 50 years, Estelle Getty finally got her big break when she was cast as Dorothy on the popular American sitcom “The Golden Girls”. Over the next few years, Getty received seven Emmy nominations and secured the coveted prize in 1988. This made her one of the most successful senior actresses of the 80s and 90s.
Dr. Ruth Westheimer
In 1980, 52-year old Dr. Westheimer spoke openly to New York broadcasters on the need for sex education in US. Three years later, she was cast on to a popular talk show on the subject and attracted over a quarter million viewers across the country. Since then, there’s been no stopping her and she’s appeared on several TV shows and penned several columns and books.
Louise Bourgeois
Known for his provocative drawings and painting, Bourgeois became a renowned artist in his 70s. His work has served as an inspiration for gender equality and women rights campaigns ever since.
Kathryn Bigelow
After spending much of her life working as a conceptual artist in Manhattan, Kathryn Bigelow took to the director’s chair in the 80s. In 2009, the 61-year old director’s hard work finally paid off as she became the first ever female to win an Academy Award for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker.