Nobody Wants a 50-Year-Old Woman!
20 Most Beautiful Women Over 50
Really?
Nobody Wants a 50-Year-Old Woman! -- That is exactly the statement made by an over-50 soap opera star on an old daytime talk show in the late 1960s. Even so, she was beautiful and looked age 40 rather than 50+. At the same time, many don't want a 40-year-old woman, either - unless she has money and will give it to them.
Age is a sneaky thing in the 2010s, though. Take the TV crime series NCIS - the actors playing DiNozzo and Abby are in their early 40s, to Gibbs's 60. Comparatively, the population of actors is aging right along with everyone else and twenty years ago, these characters would be in their early 20s and 40. However, in 2010, older people seem to be looking progressively younger, because of advances in healthcare, nutrition, exercise, makeup, and cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery is geat for some people - as long as they are not stealing it, like the star of the film Bad Teacher. That particular middle school teacher stole and manipulated money from school car washes, male parents, standardized testing bonuses, and a number of other sources in order to purchases new breasts. You'll need to see the film to see if she was successful...
Although plastic surgery is a miracle in cases of severe burns, accidents, cleft palates, and other congenital deformities, elective cosmetic surgery to the face can have shrieking results! Both Kenny Rogers and Joan Rivers suffer from facial skin that is too tight after surgery and the look is frightening. Priscilla Presley's initial facial surgery was much more attractive, but sleeveless blouses revealed sagging arms that did not match the face; so consistency of face and body appearance should be considered when thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery. If you remember the TV show The Swan, its makeovers included facial, body, and dental work for nearly all participants, as well as patient education, good nutrition and exercise. Beauty is enhanced by general wellbeing that includes all of these ingredients.
Nobody Wants a 50 Year Old Woman - 30 minute radio broadcast
I once saw a 20-year-old married to his 75-year old dance partner and they seemed happy, but that is not the average age-match in America. Then we have Anna Nicole Smith suing her aged husband's estate, winning the huge amount of money, and then dying from illicit drug use -- It's a sort of gold digger's proverb.
And the "old man chasing young girls" scenario is a global proverb as well. We know that by the number of famous men having had children later in life: Donald Trump, James Doohan, Ed McMahon, many others. Unfortunately, some of them look very old.
The title statement was also made by shock jock Tom Leykison on his radio show. A YouTube recording of the first part of the segment is located to the upper right. Mr. Leykison reads a short news column about dating problems of an older woman and adds his own insulting comments.
Claudette Colbert
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Aging Beautifully
Probably the most beautiful and graceful woman I can remember, who retained these qualities throughout her life, was Claudette Colbert. To my knowledge, she is the only woman ever to have modeled a Blackglama Mink in their famous ads early in her acting career and again at age 75. She looked no different and the photo was reported to have been un-retouched.
Blackglama developed an ad campaign called What Becomes a Legend Most, featuring black and white photos of famous women in their fur coats and stoles. The women and men (including Ray Charles) were so famous that no names were posted in the ads. The campaign is still alive and today as I visited their website, Janet Jackson appeared in one of the minks, looking 20 years old (retouched or not?).
It must be true that some people can age beautifully, from the examples above.
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Claudette Colbert (1903 - 1996)
At the Department Store
My favorite example of a beautiful older woman is one whom I met in a department store deli in Dayton, Ohio the late 1980s.
She was in her early 70s and still working, but energetic in a serene way, confident, and smiling. She was trim, with good posture, and dressed in a summery short-sleeved blouse and flared skirt, with a moderately high heel. Her makeup was moderate, and her evenly white hair was pinned up professionally, with scattered curls. She appeared 17 years old at first glance.
I think if she can age so beautifully, then others of us can achieve that goal as well. I hope that Lady Gaga takes care of herself well if she intends to continue outrageous fashion and makeup into her senior years. I cannot imagine worse sights than an unattractive older woman in 12-inch heels and wild hair, makeup, and clothes -- Although Phyliis Diller made a living at it!
Comments
To grow old graciously is my commitment to myself. Ten years from now I'll be 50 already... :)
Good article!
What? ripplemaker, I would have guessed you at 25!
K9 - It will be fun to watch as Gaga changes from year to year.
Like usual a great take on the topic. I am surrounded by retired people in my neighbourhood and I never stop being amazed at how young and active my 80 and 90 year old neighbours look. Even my granny, now in her mid 80s is still full of life and coquetry.
Since when did beauty equate youthful looks? I work with the elderly, none of whom would consider plastic surgery, and they are beautiful! Not for me, the scalpel. I shall decline happily with wrinkles, brown spots and everything else nature throws at me, and I will feel beautiful as I do. PS I am soon to be sixty.
You make such a good point about consistency of body appearance. I'll consider that before getting work done, hahaa! That said, I'm rather looking forward to aging gracefully. The woman in the department store you mentioned sounds pretty ideal to me!
The title of this hub attracted me because my wife and I are rapidly approaching 50.
Aging is not easy, and on many levels is confronting; no more-so than when youthfulness is fixated upon beyond all realistic expectations or value. Of course, we’d all like to stay physically young, but aging is mandatory; it’s only growing up that’s optional. Getting older, it is natural to look upon the young with nostalgia; after all it was a pleasant season of life. However, as one theologian once said, “One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us.” For too many, the backward glances have become a covetous exercise in futility. There are so many more important things that deserve our focus above physical appearance. Aging presents so many opportunities to grow beyond youths shackles; mere image is past, true substance remains.
Thought provoking hub.
Autumn is really the best of the seasons; and I'm not sure that old age isn't the best part of life. ~ C.S. Lewis
Astute observations about our sometimes funny culture Patty. Great hub!
Like you, my favorite example is a 70 year old woman who is still working (in a deli even--what is it with delis?), energetic and looks great. But in my case, the woman is my mother-in-law. She is 70 years old and works her tail off. But she always finds the time to style her hair (in a smart, stylish short cut) and put together a great, savvy looking outfit, She never wears clothes that are too tight or inappropriate for a "mature" (her words) gal. But she is always up on the latest fashions.
She is a really amazing woman and an inspiration. My only gripe is that she's setting the bar pretty high for her son's wife...sheesh.
Phyllis surely looks fantastic at 90. Midwestern Oldies radio stations have been giving away cosmetic surgery packages as prizes in their contests recently. I don't know that I'd choose this type of elective surgery!
We have our own choices about how to age and I hope all reach their goals. I often think that Canada and Europe have a healthier view of appearance and aging than do many of us in the US. Thanks very much for all these comments!
Yep, there IS age discrimination. It's subtle and underhanded but it does exist in all levels of our youth oriented culture, just check with the over 50 crowd looking for work. Our self-image must not be based on age, no matter what television tells us. An over 70 guy once told me that it's like being 10-years-old again--you are ignored, and are moved from the dumb kid shelf to the dumb old person shelf. It's up to each person not to have their self-image defined by others!
Patty, good observations on an appearance driven society. I loved your point about how Priscilla Presley's face did not mach her arms. I think that in order for surgery to come across as natural the whole person needs to be taken into account. The human eye is sharp at detecting something fake or inconsistent.
Parsster, great comment and quotes!
Hi, I am going to play devils advocate here! lol apart from his insulting manner, the guy in the video above, at a radio station, I believe is actually telling the truth! when I was in my thirties and even early forties, I never had problems with meeting guys, but now I have got to my fifties, no body out there wants me! I notice men look past me at the uglier woman behind, sorry but true!, and when they do look at me, its to smile like I am there mother! and I also agree with the fact that the only men that look at me are over 60! so, even though he insulted everyone, he did in fact tell the truth! at least thats my opinion! any one else agree? cheers nell
Largely untrue here. The 50+ women - and most women - in my city seem to have plenty of male attention. The radio jock's statements are pretty unclassy and crude - but much more positive than some of this other shows! He is a provocateur, after all. Men with the attitudes he expresses are good people to stay away from.
How about everyone else out there?
I remeber watching one documentary on faces -all aspects-on PBS hosted by John Cleese. One of the topics discussed was the phrase "growing old gracefully." It was concluded that what is meant by this phrase is *not* allowing yourself to age and not do anything to stop it-as some cosmetic commercials will state-but that you smile more often than you frown, and that you you laugh a lot. Laugh lines are beautiful. and if you reacgh a certain age without them, it can only mean that you never laugh.
I am afraid of plastic surgery. There is always a chance that something will go wrong, and you might end up with a droop or injury.
Can I say what a jerk I think this Tom Leykis guy is? Who listens to this junk? Anyway, I think Phyllis looks fabulous in that last photo. Thanks for another interesting hub, Patty!
He elicits a response from listners and makes money for his sponsors!
Department store women!
I want any old job that I can get right about now - but I want one in a grocery store, or a hardware store. . . .so that I can hit on 50ish year old women. A man has needs, of course, and lots of them cost money!
Lady gaga? YUCK! She's ugly right now, there's little hope, I think, or her ever being attractive. . . to me. . . .except for that thing about money.
Wow! I enjoyed the Claudette Colbert video, what a hottie!
I enjoyed reading this article -- there were many great insights. I sighed wistfully as I recall the way Kenny Rogers used to look. I think Tom Jones' face was pulled too tightly. I grew up hearing that 'age is only a number' and 'you're young as you feel', so taking a page from Jack Benny's book, I've decided to admit to being age 29 only (lol).
This was great! I've haven't thought of Phyllis Diller in ages! I find it both ways. Maybe it because I live in SoCal! LOL I don't know....I wouldn't mind a little Juvederm!
Very engaging hub. I guess there are many jerks in this world. Surprisingly, they still have followers.
I find myself looking at people my age (62) and really liking their natural faces - they look interesting. Looking at young people or surgically enhanced people is like looking at nothing ... no experience, no laughter lines, just bland smoothness ... even a little bit boring. Sorry!
I don't think I would contemplate surgery even if I could afford it ... it seems rather shallow ... I met my present husband when I was 55 ... I'm no beauty but as a widow I had plenty of attention from men ... and a lot of it was unwanted!
If attracting a man in later life is what you want it could be that personality is more important for attracting the right sort of man ... if he's just after looks he's really, really not worth your while.
I've also written a few hubs on this subject of ageing - see http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Naivety-of-Men
Really enjoyed this Hub, especially the info on Blackgama, none of which I knew, not ever having paid much attention to fur. :)
Found this Claudette Colbert quote you might enjoy: "It matters more what's in a woman's face than what's on it."
To my mind the best looking woman, especially for her age, is Sophia Loren. She still has that special magic. Men always want younger women and yet they forget to look into the mirror. Yak.
Hey Wes,
Here I was just planning to go out and get that Gaga outfit in the photo above!
OH NOOOOEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!
Well, somebody out there might like that. . . .
You know what? I think that women in Ladies business suits are just HOTHOTHOT. I've definitely developed a fetish about that. Guess I outgrew cheerleader outfits. . . .well, not really. :=;
Good to know.
This novice writer gives you two thumbs up girl!
Being forty...
I enjoyed Tom Leykis speech. One thing is absolutely right - numbers' game. If you meet so many men (as many as you can) your chances are improved. I started writing on HP with the "Traffic Theory" - men are like buses.
I have heard it too many times to be amused, but I had to agree.
I don't employ the tactic simply because I am so into writing and figuring out my path in life, that dating is on the back burner.
However, while it is on the back burner - the "love" burns with someone who is nine years younger. Why? It is just so happened. I did not lie about my age, I never do, but he did. I guessed right, but he denied it at first, so that I would not reject him. I usually believe people. Some people look so much younger, age is not always so easy to tell.
I should do more about the way I look and the way I feel, but there is no way I will be attracted to a 48 year old asshole with money who makes fun of women. Because 48 year old men have their problems & insecurities. I am not going to elaborate. He may laugh, but not for long.
And how does it feel when a woman is attracted to your pocket? I guess men are as clueless as women. Goes both ways.
I think it is the society that creates so much pressure about looks and the whole culture revolves around youth and beauty, as if high school never ended. The same peer pressure.
How about character, personality, wisdom, empathy and achievement? How about respect to people who have something to say versus 25 year old girls with no brains?
The emphasis is all off. And the choice is to submit to the peer pressure or shrug it off. People are shallow. The more shallow they are the more they care about the looks - they have nothing else to offer.
Nothing like a well tailored, furled skirt!
Thanks for this story. I think that if a woman feels good about herself and her desirability, then she will be desirable.
I'll be looking at furls!
Susannah42 - I think that's right!
Thanks for all the comments!
Dearest Patty and All,
Too funny! I vote Patty in a Lady Gaga outfit of her choice!? Anyone on board here? Something with places and maps, and a camera to take photos, and with symbolic attachments like a totem!? And a book I hope she will write!
Full of furls! Which, by the way, I had to look up! Not sure tailored and furled go together but I like Carolyn's idea!
It's not even dark in California, nor even July 4th yet (only the 1st) and fireworks started an hour ago! I'm so behind!
Happy 4th Happy Hubbers!! Earth Angel!
Happy 4th to you and your wonderful California!
I love the Colbert video. Looking at her hair styles, I think even now many of them could be worn and look very chic. I really wish more women would embrace who they are instead of trying to look 20 years younger. I think it really is how we feel inside that shows on the outside.
I enjoyed reading your insight, Patty. And I love that you engage in the comment section!
Katie Cassidy shopws the same classic looks in a portion of the new film "Monte Carlo" when she attends a yacht party. And she shows class, because she respects the waitresses on board.
I got laid off and have been looking for work. I am over 50....they seem to be hiring youngsters....I'm finding it more difficult to find ANY work.....I still consider myself trainable for something new....getting old sucks (oh, btw, I do not look my age).
Contact your local county employment office and ask about 1) displaced worker training and jobs and 2) internships for seniors ages 50 and older. There are at least two programs for senior citizens that offer 20 hrs/week work with the hope of full-time jobs at the end of the internship. The full-time job does not always happen, but it's a foot in the door for new training and work.
You have touched on a subject that has been close to my heart since I was 13 believe it or not. I just wrote a blog post on Living Life that deals with this same topic. Thanks for sharing. Voted up and interesting.
I know who wants women over 50: Men over 60! Or over 70! At my mother's retirement village I am at over-50 the "hot young chick"--and it's lots of fun although the men aren't as energetic as I. I think anyone who gets plastic surgery for purely "youth" reasons eventually regrets it for the reasons you state.
Have a good time at the retirement village, SylviaSky! Sounds like a bit of fun and good humor.
greatlove - Age 13. Very intresting, indeed.
Great article. age is truly only a number, Im learning that as I get older. I have seen some people in their 90's who are more active that some 20 year olds I know.
Good news, there are men out there, like myself for instance, who prefer being with an older woman. Why? Several reasons actually but I am not going to get into that right here. Let me just say that older women have to be careful when stalking younger men. A lot of third world descendants think they are going to get on the easy road to life by hooking up with older women. They dont want to work and they dont want to be a part of this society. They want to take advantage of someone and get away with doing nothing. Again, be careful ladies. My Sweetheart is 17 years older than myself and she says all the good men are gone or married. I consider myself a good man because I was able to look past five kids and a grandkid. On the flip side I am no "winner", I am struggling to find emplyment and my dreams of being a published author are only that up to this point in time. You have to be prepared to accept less than perfect if you want to find someone.
Just my opinion derived from twenty years with an older woman. Good luck!
There are a lot of younger men that prefer to date Cougars, women 5 years older than themselves.
I think it's more like 10-15 years, because, well, 5 years is nothing much when comparing ages after the early 20s. Recently I saw a news article of a 75-year-old man marrying an 80-year-old woman - was she a cougar to him, do you think?
Yeah, you may be right Patty... perhaps its more like 10-15 years older. There's so much of that in Southern CA. that it is definitely acceptable and sometimes preferable.
That might be very good, especially for older ladies that don't much likes older gentlemen!
It is hurting to know that nobody wants a 50 year old woman. Men are crazy who just look at the facial appearance of a woman. It is the good character of a woman that will stay until the end of her life, not the superfacial lifted face that becomes ugly at the end. Great hub! Thanks for sharing.
It's a difficult situation. While I respect individuals, I think that some can do more to take care of themselves and have better health, thereby a little better appearance.
It also depends on how much money the older women has. I know a lot of very wealthy older women who have a lot of men clamoring over them in the high-rise buildings in the downtown San Diego area.
I think they are singing a much different tune!
Then the men may be clamoring for the money and not the woman, so I hope these women are not scammed out of their money and dumped. Thanks.
Keep in mind, I'm in San Diego-- the people here are typically in pretty good shape, hit the gym, work out... that's just part of the lifestyle for a high percentage of people.
Some people can have it all. A number of these women have better figures than the majority of 20 year olds that I've seen. They are in better shape than most people in their 20's and 30's... so no... I don't think that these men are just out for their money. Some of these women are total hotties, even in their late 50's and early 60's.
Some have great personalities, can cook, have gorgeous homes decorated in their own style, etc...
Men have a lot to gain by dating/marrying someone who can add so much to their lives. No... I don't think they would be involved with them just for the money. I think these guys are just smart. They've found a woman that they truly love and adore and are having the time of their lives with them!
I'll bet that as soon as the money is gone, so is the man. I think the women are being used, but perhaps they want to be. But then, some women don't want an "old man" either. LOL I'll take your word for it all.
There's another reason why young men are attracted to older women - they want to be mothered. I'm sure one could get quite Freudian about sleeping with a partner who's old enough to be your mother, but let's not go there - I'm talking about the dynamics of the relationship.
Some men want someone to take their mother's place - looking after them, making all the decisions, bolstering his ego. An older woman can do all that. But it is an unequal relationship and in fact, the woman may be the one who ultimately gets fed up of doing all the work!
That's something I had not thought of! I bet it happens a lot.
I love how you wrote this hub! I enjoyed reading it so much. Women do need to take care of themselves!
Thanks. The woman I first heard say this would probably up the age to 70 now!
Women can be fresh and beautiful at any age. They can also be old at a very young age; I have seen it. Happiness and good health make a person nice to look at, and if you throw in charm, well, that's worth more than physical perfection.
With that said, there's a lot that can make a woman even more beautiful as she ages. Botox and filler, when properly and moderately done, can be a real boost. Good makeup, good clothes, good manners fill in the rest.
They are wrong.I'm 49 married and when we go out I have men of all ages hit on me.It's pretty narrow minded to think because a womans over 50 she's not attractive or desired.
Great Hub Loved it!
K9keystrokes 11 months ago
Great memories of wonderfully over 50 women from our past and present! In this day and age, we have certainly lost the edge that the mature women of the 50's, 60's, and even the 70's had. That grace and elegance of the poised woman, as you recall from your Ohio experience, could remain with us if we attend to our aging bodies (and the help of few good genes). To find this elegance today is a very rare encounter. It is difficult to witness this grace go right out the window behind the several scalpel modified smiles we see on TV and in movies today. It is almost as if to look modified and android-like allows one admission to live among the beautiful (modified) people...
BTW~ Gotta love the Gaga and Phylis, what an awesome comparison Patty!
Up and awesome--
K9