Thursday 19 May 2022 04:10 AM Janet Street-Porter explains why women are still hard at work trends now

Thursday 19 May 2022 04:10 AM Janet Street-Porter explains why women are still hard at work trends now
Thursday 19 May 2022 04:10 AM Janet Street-Porter explains why women are still hard at work trends now

Thursday 19 May 2022 04:10 AM Janet Street-Porter explains why women are still hard at work trends now

Last December, although I can scarcely believe it, I turned 75. For most women of my parents’ generation, reaching such a milestone would have marked a decade since the end of their working lives; ten years spent relaxing, looking after great-grandchildren, or helping in the community. 

To many, after years feeling undervalued in low-paid work, the prospect of a restful retirement was welcome. 

But over the past decade, a revolution has taken place. The Three-Quarters-OfA-Century Club has emerged — loud and proud, utterly glamorous and shamelessly refusing to grow old gracefully. 

They are miles away from the mindset of my mum’s contemporaries. My generation of women have fought against convention — smashing down the barriers which restricted our lives. 

Last week, Charlie¿s Angels star Jaclyn Smith posted photographs online that show her looking incredible at 76. Janet Street-Porter says all women in their mid-70s who act and think ¿ and enjoy everything from sex to fashion ¿ just the way they did in their 40s and 50s

Last week, Charlie’s Angels star Jaclyn Smith posted photographs online that show her looking incredible at 76. Janet Street-Porter says all women in their mid-70s who act and think — and enjoy everything from sex to fashion — just the way they did in their 40s and 50s

We were the first to get the contraceptive pill, to wear mini-skirts to work, to fight for equal pay and conditions, and c­ampaign for better pension rights. 

No wonder so many of us are still hard at work, then — with plenty of stars front and centre in film and television, on the stage and in the recording studio. 

Cher (75), Diane Keaton (76), Joanna Lumley (76), Stephanie Beacham (75), Patricia Hodge (75) — and last week, Charlie’s Angels star Jaclyn Smith, who posted photographs online that show her looking incredible at 76. All women in their mid-70s who act and think — and enjoy everything from sex to fashion — just the way they did in their 40s and 50s. 

What are the two words we Three-Quarters-Of-A-CenturyClubbers hate most? Slowing down. Putting your feet up is an alien concept to these gamechangers, who have always earned a decent wage, love work, care about how they look and enjoy new experiences and challenges.

Why should your mid-70s mark the start of giving up? I couldn’t agree more. I was always ambitious (from my teenage years) and never thought of retirement; I wanted to do interesting work for as long as I could. 

At 75, I have no intention of swapping my trainers and dyed hair, shocking pink jackets and Zara dresses for something more tasteful and ‘age-appropriate’. 

Janet, 75, (pictured) says that she is working as hard now as she did in her 40s and 50s, writing her weekly column and presenting Loose Women for the past 10 years

Janet, 75, (pictured) says that she is working as hard now as she did in her 40s and 50s, writing her weekly column and presenting Loose Women for the past 10 years

Come to think of it, what is ‘ageappropriate’ in 2022? I want that term chucked in the bin for good. 

I am working as hard now as I did in my 40s and 50s. I write a weekly column for the MailOnline and f­eatures for the newspaper, and I’ve been presenting Loose Women for ten years. I also write speeches for organisations such as the WI. 

I’m blessed with good health and a positive mindset. Because the key to coping with ageing is refusing to look back or get bogged down in nostalgia, thinking the best things in life have already happened. Instead, you must keep an open mind and get excited about what lies around the corner. 

Positivity is a key ingredient in good ageing. I only turn down work that is exactly like stuff I’ve already done. If something is new and sounds risky, that’s far more interesting. So what if it’s a flop? At least it will be an experience. 

Helen Mirren (pictured) appeared on the cover of People magazine¿s B­eautiful Issue, the 76-year-old declares she puts ¿swagger¿ over beauty when it comes to looks

Helen Mirren (pictured) appeared on the cover of People magazine’s B­eautiful Issue, the 76-year-old declares she puts ‘swagger’ over beauty when it comes to looks

Those jaw-dropping photos of Jaclyn Smith show she is just as g­orgeous now as she was in the 1970s TV series. Sure, clever makeup and camera effects play a big part, and so does diet and good hair, but Smith has held on to that cheeky sex appeal. 

Helen Mirren is the leader of the club, though.

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