SHE may be 88 years old, but Dame Maggie Smith is currently being hailed as fashion’s latest “It Girl”.
The Downton Abbey legend is proving age really is just a number as she models Loewe’s spring 2024 handbag collection.
The actress is one of a number of silver-haired icons storming the fashion and beauty world in their twilight years.
From Four Weddings And A Funeral favourite Andie MacDowell to Hollywood royalty Jane Fonda and Dame Helen Mirren, these ageless actresses are being celebrated like never before.
And they’re raking it in as a result. “They have the reputation, looks and glamour that young stars just can’t match – and brands will pay millions for it,” says brand and culture expert Nick Ede.
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“Finally, they’re getting their time to shine.”
Kirsten Jones reveals the timeless beauties heading for a bumper payday . . .
Mamma Mia! It’s Meryl
TURNED down for the 1976 King Kong movie for being “too ugly”, Meryl Streep has since defied producers by winning three Oscars and eight Golden Globes.
And at 74, the American beauty looks years younger than her actual age.
Mamma Mia! actress Meryl, who proudly debuted a full head of white hair at an awards ceremony last month, openly admitted she thought her career would come to a grinding halt at 40.
But she is still going strong, having landed starring roles in movies including 2021 comedy drama Don’t Look Up and 2019’s Little Women, as well as TV hits such as American comedy mystery series Only Murders In The Building and US drama series Big Little Lies.
Nick says: “Meryl is still turning heads and looking absolutely fabulous.
“There’s no risk of her fading out of film or TV any time soon and if she ever had time to be the face of a beauty brand, I could see her earning at least £5million.”
Evergreen scream queen
HORROR movie veteran Jamie Lee Curtis has an ageless beauty, with her trademark silver pixie cut, that has kept work pouring in .
Speaking in 2021 about growing older, Hollywood A-lister Jamie, 64, famed for the Halloween movies, said she’s an “advocate for natural beauty”, after having made mistakes in the past.
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She admitted: “I did plastic surgery, it didn’t work. I hated it. It made me feel worse. Why do you want to look 17 when you’re 70? I want to look 70 when I’m 70.”
In the past two years alone, Jamie’s career has skyrocketed, with starring roles in 2021 chiller flick Halloween Kills, US comedy-drama TV series The Bear and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2022’s superhero comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Nick says: “Jamie has barely aged a day.
“The Halloween franchise, as well as other iconic movies like Trading Places and A Fish Called Wanda, have made her a household name and her refreshing attitude toward ageing could see her earn £3million from skincare and perfume deals if she wanted to.”
Harry Potter star in Vogue
POTTY-MOUTHED Miriam Margolyes is famous for her hilarious chat show appearances, but no-one expected her to strip off for a Vogue cover earlier this year.
Despite dipping her toes into the world of fashion, the 82-year-old Harry Potter actress has always been unashamedly herself, boasting wild grey hair and spurning make-up.
“I don’t have any beauty habits,” she declared in the fashion bible. “I have tweezers. Whether you like it or not, women over 35 have whiskers.”
Now Miriam’s new memoir, Oh Miriam!, and the accompanying stage tour, is set to attract a whole new audience – and rake in a huge chunk of cash.
Nick says: “Miriam’s racy Vogue cover raised eyebrows and helped sell out her one-woman show in a flash.
“She’s TV gold and makes millions from her book sales and theatre tours by purely being herself.
“If she chose to partner with a designer or make-up brand, she’d easily make £500,000 to top up her £5million fortune.”
Four Weddings to fashion
SHE’S the brunette beauty who won our hearts – and Hugh Grant’s – in Four Weddings and a Funeral.
But Nineties pin-up Andie MacDowell, 65, is still turning heads.
In 2021, the Green Card actress made grey hair sexy after growing out her salt and pepper locks during lockdown.
“I might have looked younger and more acceptable to someone before, but I want to be appreciated for where I am, for my age,” she said.
Last month, Andie showed off her toned midriff and silver tresses at L’Oreal’s Paris Fashion Week show.
Nick says: “Her career net worth may be £20million, but Andie’s natural grey-haired beauty is putting her front and centre.
“Her screen career has been boosted with roles in comedy horror Ready Or Not and Netflix series Maid.
“And with L’Oreal on board, I can see her net worth rocketing by at least £10million in the next decade.”
Helen the Perfect choice
OSCAR winner Dame Helen Mirren is famous for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II on the big screen, but has since swapped pleated skirts and stockings for dazzling diamonds on the catwalk.
The 78-year-old British actress stormed the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week last month, outshining the likes of 27-year-old Kendall Jenner with her wild, crimped hair and natural make-up.
She has also proved you don’t have to cut your locks short once you hit a certain age, when she unveiled a trendy blunt bob just like singer Justin Bieber’s model wife Hailey.
Nick says: “Helen’s earned over £7million as the face of L’Oreal’s Age Perfect range over the past seven years – and she’s not slowing down.
“Her film career is still up there and her recognisable face makes her eternally popular.
“I can see her earning at least £5million more from brand deals on top of her £82million net worth.”
The generation gamer
FROM Annie Hall to The First Wives Club, Diane Keaton has proudly flown the flag for natural, classic beauty for 50 years.
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The hashtag#coastalgrandmother – which describes an effortlessly stylish but comfortable woman – went viral last year, with over eight million views on TikTok.
And 77-year-old Diane was a natural poster girl for the trend, boasting a wardrobe full of eclectic balloon skirts and wide-leg trousers, statement hats and chunky jewellery.
Nick says: “It’s hard not to love Diane for her quirky, kooky character and clothes to match.
“She’s kept up with the cool kids without even trying, so she’ll be a firm movie favourite for many years to come.
“Diane has been the face of L’Oreal in the past and will have earned a good £5million.
“Stepping back into the beauty industry with, say, a perfume or skin care range would easily add another £1million to her fortune.”
Nothing like a dame
BRITISH national treasure Dame Judi Dench has suffered with eye problems during her twilight years but this hasn’t stopped the 88-year-old from winning even more fans.
In 2020, the star of both Bond movies and Shakespearean theatre, also became Vogue magazine’s oldest cover model.
And while reading movie scripts has become tricky, owing to those troublesome peepers, she is raking in a handsome sum as the star of online consumer site MoneySupermarket’s MoneySuperSeven ads.
Since her professional acting debut, treading the boards in Shakespeare’s Hamlet in 1957, Judi has amassed a net worth of around £40million.
Nick says: “I can see her making another £5million at least from different beauty deals – if she wants to.
“Everyone knows Judi’s face, and brands will pay good money for that.”
Barbarella to beauty queen
AFTER six decades in the industry, Hollywood legend Jane Fonda knows a thing or two about making the most of her golden years.
At the grand old age of 85, the work keeps rolling in for the star of 1968 adventure comedy Barbarella and 1980 comedy 9 To 5.
After her iconic appearance on the runway at the 2017 Paris Fashion Week, she struck gold with Netflix sitcom Grace & Frankie, and has starred in two Book Club movies.
She declared this year: “I’m 85 and feel better than ever.”
Nick says: “Jane Fonda is the golden girl of beauty. From her famous Eighties workout videos to a whole new fanbase with Grace And Frankie, there’s nothing stopping her.
“She’s made over £200million in her career and her L’Oreal deal alone is worth £30million.
“She’ll easily make another £10million from L’Oreal and other brand partnerships in the next decade.”