Helen Mirren has definitely earned a legion of fans throughout her more than 50-year career as an actress, and her commitment to ageing naturally has garnered her even more popularity.
Mirren started off in the entertainment industry as a theater actress, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company before making her debut on London’s West End in 1975.
Though, the now-78-year-old didn’t become a household name until later on in her life – she was 35 when she landed her breakout role as a gangster’s girlfriend in ‘The Long Good Friday’ (1980), opposite Bob Hoskins.
Having focused on her career for much of her adult life, finding the right partner and having children wasn’t on Mirren’s radar… Until she met her now-husband – US film director Taylor Hackford.
“I was 38 when I met Taylor, pretty late in life,” she stated in a 2016 AARP interview, recalling how the director had kept her waiting for an audition when they first met. When she eventually landed the part, the pair got to know each other and their relationship grew from there.
Eventually, Mirren and Hackford were able to bond over their similar working class upbringings (her mother was a working class woman whose own family came from a long line of butchers, while Mirren’s father was a Russian aristocrat who escaped to the UK during the Russian Revolution and became a cab driver to support his family).
The future spouses also bonded over their love for traveling, and apparently had a similar view on storytelling, both being in the entertainment industry.
Even though Hackford’s two children from previous marriages supported Mirren’s union with their father, this didn’t change her stance on becoming a mother herself. Though, she did explain that she found Hackford’s dedication to being the best parent to his children rather endearing.
The pair eventually married in 1997, after they came to the realization that they knew they would be together forever. At that point, they’d been together for over a decade.
The infamous swimsuit photo
Fast forward to 2008, and Mirren went viral for an image her husband snapped of her at the beach… Something that stunned fans and even the legendary actress herself!
The married couple had been on a romantic Italian beach vacation when they trekked to a secluded beach spot to take in the breathtaking views in private.
She recalled how she took a photo of her husband and then, in return, he snapped a quick pic of her. Though, Mirren said that the moment she sucked in her stomach when posing, she saw a small flash in the distance and crouched down on the rocks to hide from the apparent paparazzo.
When Mirren’s husband turned around, he couldn’t see the paparazzo, and said his wife was just being “paranoid”. Though, sure enough, the photo taken of Mirren in a red bikini was posted by a tabloid and went viral everywhere.
A few years later the actress told Ellen DeGeneres on the latter’s talk show that the image was just a fluke, saying: “I look at that picture and say, god, I wish I look like that. But I don’t.”
Years later, people are still stunned by the image of Mirren, who was 63 years old at the time it was taken – with many people on the internet commenting that they don’t look half as good as her despite being decades younger!
In 2014, the Oscar winner spoke about the image just before her 68th birthday, telling People: “The truth is I don’t really look that good, it was just a flattering picture.”
She added: “I am beyond the bikini-wearing age, really. I wouldn’t normally wear one. I look like a woman in her 60s. I’ve always looked awful in a bikini, even when I was young.”
What do you think of Helen Mirren’s stunning bikini image? Let us know in the comments!
If you liked this article, then you’ll definitely be interested in reading about how Julie Andrews made a rare public appearance at 87.
Meet Jyoti, Who, at the Age of 30 and Standing at 63 cm Tall, Successfully Made Her Mark in Hollywood
Jyoti Amge grew up like any ordinary child, but at some point, her growth stopped. Now 30 years old, she stands at 63 cm tall. Jyoti earned the title of the world’s smallest woman and later ventured into Hollywood, proving to everyone that a diminutive stature is not a hindrance on the path to one’s dreams.
Her childhood
On December 16, 1993, Jyoti Kisanji Amge was born in Maharashtra, India. Jyoti’s mother, Ranjana, claims that she was a normal size at birth and in her early years of childhood. Jyoti’s growth actually stopped when she turned 5 and hasn’t changed since — aside from that, she’s continued to attend school with her average-sized peers.
“She learned to walk on time, her teeth grew in on time, she learned to feed herself on time, she was a regular child for a while,” explained her mother,
Jyoti has never thought of her size as an obstacle, thanks to her family’s unwavering support. Whenever they are together, her family commonly carries her around, so she can see the world from their point of view. In fact, despite the difficulties that came with persisting in her education, her sister used to carry her around college, and that helped Jyoti finish her studies and graduate.
But Jyoti hasn’t always felt this way about her condition. “When she was not this famous, people used to tease her and make fun of her. She used to feel very dejected then,” her father spoke up. Jyoti’s perseverance and zeal mainly stem from her family, who have always backed her and supported her to continue on.
The small size of Jyoti Amge prevents her from doing most things independently. “’I can’t go anywhere by my own choice,” said Amge, who relies on family members to assist her in daily tasks. “I can’t turn on the tap, can’t open the door, can’t go to the bathroom unless someone takes me, and every time I go out, I have to be carried,” she added.
Fortunately, her condition doesn’t severely restrict her mobility or lifestyle, allowing her to lead as normal a life as possible.
The cause of her stunted growth
“Doctors think the reason behind my height not increasing is a deficiency of growth hormones.” Her condition was later determined to be caused by achondroplasia, a type of dwarfism that prevents her from growing taller than a certain height.
A Guinness World Record girl
“She may be the shortest living woman, but Jyoti Amge is one of the biggest personalities we have in the Guinness World Records universe.” Jyoti officially became the shortest woman alive (mobile) after turning 18, and achieving this record has improved her self-esteem. She has said, “I feel well-liked, special, and important.”
“Measured by a doctor, she was just 61.95 cm (2 ft) tall, confirming her as the shortest living teenager (female). Remarkably, at just 5.4 kg, she weighed only 4 kg more than her birth weight,” the Guinness World Records claimed. Everything she uses or wears, like her accessories, cutlery, and plates, needs to be customized for her. Jyoti, on the other hand, puts a lot of effort into making the most of each situation and her exceptional stature.
In 2012, Jyoti Amge met the World’s Tallest Man, Sultan Kosen, and she posed with him for the 57th edition of the Guinness World Records.
“When I met the world’s tallest man, I was a little shocked,” she claimed in an interview, “I was thinking how can be someone so tall, and he was astonished to see me as well, but we are now very good friends.”
Her success and her acting dream
In 2012, Jyoti Amge met the World’s Tallest Man, Sultan Kosen, and she posed with him for the 57th edition of the Guinness World Records.
“When I met the world’s tallest man, I was a little shocked,” she claimed in an interview, “I was thinking how can be someone so tall, and he was astonished to see me as well, but we are now very good friends.”
Her success and her acting dream
Although GWR’s recognition was crucial in helping her achieve success abroad, Jyoti has been making more efforts to realize her dreams and disprove those who think a girl of her stature can’t succeed in life.
Besides pursuing her career, Jyoti hopes to be a role model for anyone who lacks self-confidence. She hopes to inspire others to not let their differences impede their life plans. “To people like me: if you keep trying, you will definitely achieve all of your dreams.”
Here is the story of the tallest woman in the world, with a height of 215 cm. Despite the challenges that her height presents, she remains undaunted and lives her best life.
Leave a Reply