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‘Seventy-five, and everyone says I’m wonderful!’

(103 Posts)
Witzend Tue 15-Jul-25 11:36:26

No, not me! (I’m just a bit over) but I recently remembered a neighbour of a granny saying this every time we saw her! This would have been in the 60s.

I don’t think 75 was a very great age even then - both GMs lived well into their 80s, and my lovely GGF well into his 90s.

But I can’t help thinking that hardly anyone would talk like this now about their age, or would they?

BTW I don’t think the neighbour had dementia, there was no talk of her ‘not being quite right in the head’.

win Wed 16-Jul-25 14:05:49

cassar

Did anyone else feel indignant when a news report the other day described two women as 'elderly women' - they were only in their 60s!

I hope not as they were elderly.

Mollygo Wed 16-Jul-25 14:07:56

mabon2

Lulu is a disgrace to older people, she looks about 20 with all that work she's had done. What's wrong with growing old grcefully I ask?

I suppose Lulu knows what people will say when they see her.
Either that she must have had work done or alternatively she’s let herself go.
No win situation for the famous.
So perhaps she does what makes her feel good.
Well done Lulu.

Bazza Wed 16-Jul-25 14:29:06

I remember when Lulu bought out her face creams saying we could all look like her if we used it and how she’d had no work done and never would. I didn’t believe her then and I still don’t! Wonder if it’s still available.

Bestgrammaever Wed 16-Jul-25 14:39:47

Piping up from the US here super model Christie Brinkley was said ten years ago to have had a $60,000 (USD) yearly cosmetic budget. In her early 70's now it seems to have worked.

Daddima Wed 16-Jul-25 14:48:44

I have never understood the obsession with looking younger than your years. What’s wrong with being a fabulous looking 80 year old?

cc Wed 16-Jul-25 14:50:53

Sarnia

As a child my Granny looked practically decrepit but was only in her 70's. We are fortunate these days to benefit from better medication and healthcare and more awareness of nutrition and exercise. Many of us will have bought our own homes and be mortgage free with disposable income which opens the door to holidays and treats without the worry of paying the bills. I am 78 next birthday and consider my generation have been very fortunate.

Yes, my grandparents must only have been around 60 when I was born, but they did look "elderly".
My mother's mother was very asthmatic and was always very grateful for the wonderful care that she received from her GP who kept her going into her 70's despite very poor health. I think that they had poor nutrition when they were young, though as a farming family they probably did better during the war than most. She used to give her GP a dozen fresh eggs from her chickens when he visited her to give her a weekly jab on Saturdays.
I don't think many people lived as long as today, my mother made it to 88 which was older than any of my grandparents. My husband's paternal grandparents were both in their 90's when they died, though his father's parents were much younger. I hope to do that well and feel fortunate to have that possibility.

suelld Wed 16-Jul-25 15:03:15

Usedtobeblonde

Oh goodness I think I am falling into that mindset.
I was 88 on Saturday and I told everyone in Soop’s kitchen.
I must try to curb my enthusiasm. 😉😂

I’m similar and I’m only 80 next year… I think it’s a case of goodness how did I get to this age and not be quite as wrinkled and bent as some! . I kept having to remind my Dad he was 90 when he kept telling me his old peoples group was full of “old people” .
I think I’m wonderful to have got here at all and still not be too decrepit…so occasionally I let my age slip. However, lately instead of people saying “goodness really no I wouldn’t have thought that…” , people are now saying nothing! As I pass by my mirror lately … not surprised, tho on a good day I see what I used to see….oh dear… better get my eyes checked again soon! smile . Seriously tho stop slamming people who throw their age into conversations, we just want a confidence boost as we can see we’re not what we were. I had some removal people here recently and have a large photo of myself and my two sons on a wall… taken when I was in my 30s. One of the men said “is that your daughter?” . Well at least there was still some vague resemblance!

suelld Wed 16-Jul-25 15:13:27

BlueBelle

RosieandherMaw

PinkCosmos

Lulu should look good. It is apparent that she has had fillers or surgery on her face. However, she does still have a nice slim figure. She was very sprightly when she was singing with Rod Stewart at Glastonbury.

He was also great for 80. I remember him saying years ago that he had always used moisturiser on his face.

I think Rod Stewart looks like the wreck of the Hesperus!

I totally agree, personally I think Rod Stewart looks awful

Never thought Rod Stewart sexy, still don’t! Yuck!
But I would like to be as energetic as both Lulu and him.
As for Cliff Richard who keeps trying to avoid old age but in my view looks worse for it. Put on a bit of weight and embrace the aging process. People look better if a little plump as any wrinkles get smoothed!

suelld Wed 16-Jul-25 15:15:48

BlueBelle

As a man who admired Enoch Powell and now loves Farage I think he’s as awful as he looks not what I would call sexy at all

??? Both those me are UGLY INSIDE and out!

sazz1 Wed 16-Jul-25 15:19:12

Some mean comments on here. Fair play to older musicians doing what they love into their old age. I dress how i like, jeans, denim skirts, cut off trousers, t-shirts etc whatever i feel like wearing, dye my hair, but dont wear mini skirts anymore. I now dont care what other people think as long as Im comfortable. Never used much make up and wash my face with plain warm water and a flannel. Always have and I have good skin without all the soaps, creams and clensers, etc

suelld Wed 16-Jul-25 15:19:33

Oreo

I thought the expression ‘looking like the wreck of the Hesparus’ was a common one? My Nan and Mum used to say it all the time ( in London that was) not that we saw many ships😄

It’s a poem by Longfellow! No viewing of ships needed. Would have been taught in schools in the early/ mid 20th Century. Probably not now!?

Flutterby345 Wed 16-Jul-25 15:21:39

PinkCosmos

Lulu should look good. It is apparent that she has had fillers or surgery on her face. However, she does still have a nice slim figure. She was very sprightly when she was singing with Rod Stewart at Glastonbury.

He was also great for 80. I remember him saying years ago that he had always used moisturiser on his face.

I read that Rod Stewart does the moisturiser. Also swims underwater for as long g as possible to strengthen his lungs to sing. F Sinatra told him about that. Does lots of other stuff. A full time job I should think to be able to strut his stuff still at that age. But let's not forget the turbanned Sikh! Puts'em all in the shade.

suelld Wed 16-Jul-25 15:26:00

mabon2

Lulu is a disgrace to older people, she looks about 20 with all that work she's had done. What's wrong with growing old grcefully I ask?

Jealous much! No idea how much work she has had done or not, but she looks good and is very spry and bright.
I would be happy to look similar. Tho not as short!

hollysteers Wed 16-Jul-25 15:33:27

lafergar

RosieandherMaw

PinkCosmos

Lulu should look good. It is apparent that she has had fillers or surgery on her face. However, she does still have a nice slim figure. She was very sprightly when she was singing with Rod Stewart at Glastonbury.

He was also great for 80. I remember him saying years ago that he had always used moisturiser on his face.

I think Rod Stewart looks like the wreck of the Hesperus!

My mother used to look in the mirror and say that. Never heard it since or elsewhere.

My mother used to say “The wreck of the Hesprit”😁

LiliWenFach44 Wed 16-Jul-25 15:35:10

I think Dame Judi Dench at 90 is far more beautiful than Lulu at nearly 80, with nothing injected into her face. She looks and is fabulous. A really wonderful career. Highly intelligent articulate and great fun. Give me her any time, and Dame Maggie and all their contemporaries!

Witzend Wed 16-Jul-25 15:41:36

LiliWenFach44

I think Dame Judi Dench at 90 is far more beautiful than Lulu at nearly 80, with nothing injected into her face. She looks and is fabulous. A really wonderful career. Highly intelligent articulate and great fun. Give me her any time, and Dame Maggie and all their contemporaries!

Ditto to all that!

grammargran Wed 16-Jul-25 16:50:02

My mum always referred to the "wreck of the 'Esperus". It was years before I found out it was actually spelt with an 'H' ......

LovesBach Wed 16-Jul-25 17:00:32

We Baby Boomers are such a lucky generation - healthcare, relative peace, and fresh untainted food for the most part. My GM died at seventy, and in photos she looked so old, tired and worn. She had given birth to thirteen children, and brought them up with loving care and without a single domestic appliance. Her life would probably have finished me off at fifty.

itsadogslife Wed 16-Jul-25 17:49:21

Couldn't agree more with the last post. I would never boast about my age (73) to anyone and think it's a very strange thing to do. I know I look younger than I am and it's down to genes, as my mother looked much younger as well. I dress the same as I always have, and never use face creams as they bring me out in spots. The only giveaway is my neck area which I can can cover up with polo necks but not, unfortunately, at this time of year. Can't afford plastic surgery and wouldn't have it anyway. Yoga, and a good diet is enough for me.

grammargran Wed 16-Jul-25 18:04:04

Some of us are pre-Baby Boomers LovesBach ....

Delene100 Wed 16-Jul-25 18:12:59

😄 🤣

Harris27 Wed 16-Jul-25 18:31:33

Big rod Stewart fan here hope I can jump about like him at 80 think he does well.

4allweknow Wed 16-Jul-25 19:17:44

Any comments on looking good at your age woukd be frowned on by many nowadays. People just do not want ant reference to age. I have no objection. Speaking with a single mid 40 year old neighbour who is realky into motors I mentioned I had passed my driving assessment fir older people. He asked why I had done the test, well my age, fed up listening about how old peoole shouldn't be driving. He asked my age, stepped back said no way, you are so fit and active. I took it as a compliment.

JPB123 Wed 16-Jul-25 20:52:41

Being happy and smiling make a big difference.Enjoy life,look after yourself, keep interests alive….alll go to looking and feeling great!

WithNobsOnIt Wed 16-Jul-25 21:56:58

Sarnia

As a child my Granny looked practically decrepit but was only in her 70's. We are fortunate these days to benefit from better medication and healthcare and more awareness of nutrition and exercise. Many of us will have bought our own homes and be mortgage free with disposable income which opens the door to holidays and treats without the worry of paying the bills. I am 78 next birthday and consider my generation have been very fortunate.

👍