Kate Winslet, 37
Chill out, by including the lovely Kate Winslet in this list, I am not saying that she is old. In fact, I thought I should throw in someone a little younger in this list. Winslet makes me feel like being in your 30s could be awesome. That combined with her stance on the importance of having a positive body image gives me hope for all of us.
Vanessa Williams, 49
Love her. Loved how on Desperate Housewives she played a character who made no apologies for dating men of all ages. And even in the episode where she felt old because her ex husband started dating a younger woman, she snapped out of her moping and realized screw it, I’m awesome.
Mariska Hargitay, 49
Mariska has never been one to hide from wrinkles. And she plays one of the most badass female characters on television (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.) And she once said, “Some days having that extra bowl of pasta and a Reese’s peanut butter cup means more to me than being thin.” And that makes me happy.
Maria Bello, 45
She’s always been a champion for women being comfortable in their ages. I interviewed her once and she wasn’t wearing any makeup and she looked freakin’ beautiful. She said, to paraphrase, that actresses in their 40s need to stop trying to be actresses in their 20s because it’s not benefiting anyone. She’s a firm believer that life for women doesn’t end at 40.
I’m afraid of aging. But you either age or you die. You can’t get younger. Let’s get some more women like these in starring roles, and on magazine covers. And without the excessive Photoshop. Though that’s a whole other story.
Featured image via shutterstock
Additional images via here, here, here, here, here and here.
Most of them look botoxed …
I would add Leslie Ann Warren to this list, as well as Helen Mirren and Julie Andrews, Sophia Loren, Ann Margaret, Pam Grier, Tina Turner, Judi Dench, Brooke Shields, Angie Harmon, Raquel Welch, Sandra Bullock, Marisa Tomei, Julianne Morre, Kelly Presto, Mary Louise Parker, Helen Hunt, Jodie Foster, Andie McDowell, Dana Delaney – I could keep going, but I feel like I’m rambling now.
And what about Jessica Lange?
I’d definetly add Helena Bonham Carter, Julianne Moore, Michelle Pfeiffer, Helen Mirren, Melissa McBride, Maggie Smith; all beautiful and natural looking women. And my mom
thank you for this! I’m so sick of seeing these actresses’ faces morph into some kind of scary stretched out monster after age 40… don’t they know they look awful? and we can all tell! Since when is looking like a botched science experiment sexy? all these ladies are beautiful, sexy, strong women… I really hope the natural look catches on… enough w/ the “procedures”!
I would add Helen Mirren ,Judi Dench and Maggie Smith!
I notice you didn’t have Nicole Kidman on your list and that’s because she’s tried everything and her face looks frozen! I’m not trying to be snarky or anything, but it does look weird.
Might I add Isabella Rossellini to this list? She’s 60 and absolutely beautiful.
Julie Andrews!!!!
I love all those women. I’ll go even further and add three British queens: Maggie Smith, Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. Still rocking in their 70′s!!
YESSS, Susan Sarandon! I clicked on this article just to see if she was on the list.
They are all such beautiful women, especially Meryl! I’m sure you’ll get many people chiming in from the peanut gallery, but I have to say you left my favorite off-the incredibly beautiful Helen Mirren. If I can look even a fraction as good as she does when I’m her age, ugh. I’ll be lucky!
I saw that photo a few years ago of her in a bikini and I was like wow! I would love to rock a bikini that well at any age!
Omg! I thought that too! I’m 22 and I’m like ”When I grow up I wanna be Helen Mirren” What a freakin’ beautiful woman!