**Dame Helen Mirren Reflects on Turning 80 and Her Approach to Ageing**
Renowned British actress Dame Helen Mirren has candidly shared her philosophy on ageing as she celebrates her 80th birthday, offering insights into her personal health routine and perspective on growing older in the spotlight. Known for her wide-ranging roles, from portraying Queen Elizabeth II to gritty detective Jane Tennison in *Prime Suspect*, Dame Helen continues to inspire with her forthrightness and refusal to adhere to conventional stereotypes about ageing.
In a recent interview with OK! Magazine, Dame Helen expressed her distaste for the term “ageing gracefully,” rejecting the notion that growing older must be synonymous with subdued elegance or passive acceptance. “I am not ageing gracefully at all! I hate that term – it sounds like you have to be elegant and accepting, and, no, I am not,” she remarked. Instead, Mirren explains that she is “ageing with fun, with commitment,” emphasising a more active and empowered approach, and questioning the importance society places on ‘graceful’ ageing.
Dame Helen celebrated her milestone birthday on Saturday, an occasion that prompted reflection on both her career and personal wellbeing. The Academy Award winner acknowledged the inevitability of ageing, stating, “We just do grow older, there’s no way you can escape that. You have to grow up with your own body, your own face and the way it changes.” She admitted that accepting physical change is not always easy, yet underscores its inevitability and the importance of self-acceptance.
Mirren, who has become a role model for many facing similar changes, noted her irritation with comments on her appearance. She described feeling “insulted” when told she looks good for her age, calling such remarks “patronising.” For her, ageing is less about upholding an image and more about living authentically, irrespective of public opinion.
Turning to her health regime, Dame Helen shared some straightforward advice for maintaining both physical and emotional wellbeing as the years advance. She disclosed that vitamins are a constant companion, stating, “I always go everywhere with my vitamins. That is probably the most important thing in my beauty bag, actually.” Mirren emphasised that diet and lifestyle choices play a crucial role, adding, “What you eat, what you drink, what you don’t smoke, really makes a massive difference to your skin, especially as you progress through life.”
The actress also highlighted the importance of looking after oneself from the inside out. “It’s incredibly important to feed the inside of your skin, as much as the outside of your skin,” she advised, urging readers to focus on inner health alongside external appearance as a holistic strategy for ageing.
Despite her candidness about the challenges of growing older, Dame Helen remains as active in her career as ever. She recently portrayed Maeve Harrigan in ‘MobLand’, a film directed by Guy Ritchie and co-starring Pierce Brosnan. Mirren will also appear in Netflix’s upcoming screen adaptation of Richard Osman’s beloved ‘Thursday Murder Club’ novel, where she will star alongside an illustrious cast that includes Celia Imrie, Sir Ben Kingsley, and once again, Pierce Brosnan.
Dame Helen’s words serve as an encouragement not just to her peers but to people of all ages. Her commitment to embracing each stage of life with energy and self-acceptance sets a constructive example in an industry and culture often preoccupied with youth. For Mirren, the real secret to ageing lies in finding pleasure and purpose in every year, while never apologising for growing older.
As she enters her ninth decade, Dame Helen’s voice continues to challenge ageist conventions—an approach that elevates her legacy both inside and beyond the world of cinema.