Brooke Shields once dreaded aging. Here’s her new perspective.
At 59, Brooke Shields feels fantastic, but it wasn’t always that way.
After reaching 50, Shields, known from “Mother of the Bride,” found a new sense of freedom and empowerment that she never anticipated. “It’s not what we’re taught,” she says during a Zoom interview from New York. “We’re led to believe that aging signifies the end of our journey.”
This perception frightened her, as it does many others, as people try to emulate timeless figures like Meryl Streep or Goldie Hawn from “Death Becomes Her.” “I was overly afraid because that’s how I was raised. The pursuit of eternal youth is ingrained in us,” she explains.
These reflections are part of her upcoming book, titled “Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman.”
As the founder of the hair brand Commence and president of the Actors’ Equity Association, Shields is challenging the stereotype against aging. She is collaborating with pharmaceutical company GSK to inform individuals over 50 about shingles risks and vaccination choices while openly discussing the journeys of aging.
‘I was not ready for that’
Shields continues to endure pain and stability challenges after breaking her thigh bone in 2021.
“I didn’t take precautions while balancing on a board and ended up breaking my femur. That took me by surprise,” she admits.
However, gaining insight into her health has been empowering for her.
For anyone concerned about their health, Shields emphasizes one important tip: Ask questions. “If you approach knowledgeable sources, you’ll find the right path to better health regarding vaccinations or issues like shingles or bone health. With the right information, you can make necessary changes,” she advises.
‘I never mastered that’
On the emotional front of aging, Shields initially worried about becoming an empty nester. Yet, she has come to terms with this phase of life. While she misses her children, Rowan (20) and Grier (18), she finds joy in witnessing their growth. “Once you move past that initial shock, it’s wonderful to watch them and see how others connect with them.”
Grier even walked the runway at New York Fashion Week this year, an accomplishment Shields never achieved in her modeling career. “I never had that ability,” she reflects. “I focused on editorial work and didn’t participate backstage. Grier approached it with total commitment and determination, learning and excelling in something so new to her, and it was fascinating to see.”
Brooke Shields reflects on marriage: ‘I want to grow old together’
Having spent many years in the entertainment industry, Shields acknowledges that projects don’t appear without effort. “Whenever I’m not content with life’s direction, I don’t simply wait to be chosen. I actively seek opportunities, stories, and projects. I take charge of my creative journey, knowing it won’t come to me if I don’t pursue it.”
She is especially encouraged by a growing trend: “The current excitement is the dynamic of older women, like myself, with younger men,” she points out.
That said, she has been happily married to Chris Henchy for over two decades. “Marriage isn’t simple or effortless,” she emphasizes. “It requires dedication. I’ve realized that we often evolve at different paces, and although the individuals we were in love initially are still there, new aspects of our personalities emerge, and we must communicate openly instead of expecting the other to be mind readers and then resenting them for not understanding our journey.”
Moreover, maintaining open communication and humor is essential. “I want to grow old with him; I envision us as that cute elderly couple.” She admits to sometimes getting frustrated when someone leaves the door open and their dog tries to chew her shoes.
But karma has a way of returning the favor: “Interestingly, the dog chewed my husband’s shoes recently, and I couldn’t help but say, ‘Now you know how it feels!'”
See? She’s loving life.