Tessa Sanderson is used to breaking new ground. She was the first Black British woman to win an Olympic gold medal, in 1984, and then became a first-time mum at 57 when she adopted baby twins.
And now, at 67, she is trying something else new by becoming one of Estee Lauder’s oldest-ever models. The javelin star is fronting the cosmetics giant’s Because Of My Age campaign, with the message that real beauty comes from life experience. “I loved it,” Tessa says. “And I think the majority of all women should, too. Why not? Get up, feel good about yourself. It’s about how you feel.”
Tessa has certainly come a long way to earn her spot in the campaign alongside presenter Lisa Snowden, 52, and model Lolly Streek, 54. And her feat was even appreciated by a former rival – fellow Team GB javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread. The pair traded blows throughout the 1980s. Tessa’s one Olympic and three Commonwealth golds, along with one European silver, just about gives her the edge over Fatima’s World and European golds and Olympic, World and Commonwealth silvers.
Tessa Sanderson has joined the Estee Lauder familyTessa admits the rivalry – and occasional feud – helped spur her on. “I took no prisoners when I was in the competitive arena, because that’s how you strive to win gold,” she says.
But she adds: “She was a good rival to have because she wanted to beat me. I wanted to beat her. To have won three Commonwealth games over Fatima and to win an Olympic gold medal that she was expected to win… You know what? The rivalry helped me do that. My competitiveness is strong. My personality is strong. At the end of the day, it’s who comes out tops – and I did.”
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But she says it was nice to get an online thumbs-up from Fatima, who replied “still looking good” to Tessa’s Estee Lauder news.
Tessa adds: “I would say the same to her if she was doing something that was really good. We don’t keep friendship outside of the arena because I have my family and other friends and she has her family and other friends – that’s the way to keep it.”
Even 40 years after the Los Angeles Games, Tessa remains rightly proud of her Olympic gold. She says: “I feel it’s very, very special because it’s incredible to think that no one – male or female – in Britain has ever won another throwing gold medal for this country.
“My dad always said to me: ‘You are a lion – go out and achieve what you have to.’ You have to be a certain kind of person mentally, physically, psychologically, to go and stand on that podium.”
She has become one of the oldest models for the cosmetic brandHer pride is even more understandable when you think of where Tessa started. Her mother and father left Jamaica for Britain when she was five, part of the Windrush generation. She was cared for by her gran then followed them – to Wednesfield, near Wolverhampton. Money was very tight – which helped her talent come to light. Tessa first picked up a javelin aged 14, in the hope of winning a portion of chips.
“When I was at school in the 60s, it was sixpence for a bag of chips,” she says. “There was a girl who was then the champion of the school with the javelin and she challenged me and said: ‘If you win on sports day, we will buy you a bag of chips. You will have your chips the whole week. And we’ll pay for it.’ On the sports day I won – and bob’s your uncle. So that is why food is always my challenge.”
Another helping hand came from the Variety Club, who gave Tessa vital funding in the early days of her career. She is now a Variety Ambassador for the children’s charity. “I owe them so much,” she says “They were the first people, in 1977, ever to really look my way and give me that leg up and the confidence.”
Financial hardship was not the only obstacle Tessa faced. After her Olympic gold, among the many letters of congratulation was one which told her she was not truly British.
Tessa won Gold at the Los Angeles Olympics (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)
Tessa moved to the UK as part of the Windrush generation (Getty Images)“I never knew the person’s name,” she says. “And thank God I didn’t because if I did, I think that would have stuck in my craw. But my dad told me to throw it in the bin and I did. Because for me, I competed for Great Britain. I loved competing for Great Britain. It was really hard getting that sent to me. You’ve got letters from the Queen, Philip… and then it hits you. I thought, God, who is this sad person? These people are feeling that you’re still not at home where you are, and you shouldn’t be proud of winning a medal.”
Olympic legend Tessa continues: “We want fair play out there on the field. When we get up there doing whatever we’re doing, it’s because we are proud to be there.”
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Cassius and Ruby Mae, the twins she shares with judo Olympian Densign White, are now 11. A lot of people thought she was crazy when she adopted them aged 57. She smiles: “It’s hard-going but they are my world. I call them my two blossoms. My twins keep me motivated, fit and healthy. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
Tessa, who is hoping to be part of the coverage for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, believes in tackling every day like a true Olympian.
“Every morning, put your foot on the floor and just say: ‘You know what? I’m alive. What am I going to do today?’” she adds. “I’ve spoken to a lot of women who feel like reaching 50 is a deadline. I hope that by me taking the pathway to modelling now, it shows other women that life is for living.”
- Visit esteelauder.co.uk for make-up and skincare advice, appointments and Tessa’s tips for looking good in your 60s.
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