There must have been something in the air that triggered me to write about the beauty of old women in my last essay. My thoughts aren’t new. Wise Women was published more than 20 years ago. But the concept that older women have a beauty of their own seems to be trending.
I say that because after I published my piece, article by essayist Roger Rosenblatt appeared in the New York Times (April 18, 2026) about the beauty of old women. His piece is a tribute to his wife of 62 years, but the whole essay is devoted to his view on what makes old women so special.
He writes with love but it’s clear his idea of beauty is at odds with the cosmetic market and the ideal of youthful radiance. “With old ladies,” he explains, “it’s the mind. And the mind is drawn upon the face. And the face is beautiful.”
A long life, well lived, produces those facial etchings and he doesn’t hold back describing them.
“Behold then, will you, as they glow in the dark. The hair gone white. The careful step. The archipelago of age spots. The blue veins in the hand. The folds in the neck. The crack in the voice. Takes your breath away.” About his wife: “Today at 85, she is lovelier than ever,”he tells us.
I appreciated his piece as a lovely reinforcement of my essay on Wise Women, but a few days later another headline caught my eye. “Graying the Runway: Why Fashion suddenly Loves Older Women”
This article, referring to the recent issue of Vogue with two women in their 70s on the cover (Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour) talked about the recent round of fashion shows with models over 50. Fifty may not seem old, but in high fashion terms, 50 is ancient. To what do we owe this huge change of perspective?
The creative director of Balenciaga, Pierpaolo Piccioli, was quoted in the article: “We all want to show powerful women…And pride in showing your age is a symbol of strength and power.”
Why this change in perspective? I think what’s happened is that women who became powerful in their fields when they were in their 30s and 40s, have aged. But their power has only increased as they have aged. They have become icons.
One of my heroes who fits this category is Jane Goodall. Her picture is in Wise Women—a wonderful symbol of power, age, and beauty.
Some of you may be wondering why all this attention only to older women. What about the glory of older men? But men have never been leftout. Convention says professional men grow more distinguished, respected, and acclaimed as they age. That same convention says that when women in any field lose the bloom of youth, they become outdated, time worn, obsolete.
While I was running Sokol Blosser Winery and my hair started to show streaks of grey. I was advised to cover the grey. “Men look distinguished with grey hair,” a consultant told me. “Women with grey hair just look old. And old women just aren’t taken seriously.” The truth of that little episode says it all—the importance of looks and the double standard.
So what’s happening now is long overdue. Women are getting attention now which was denied them in the past because the playing field is changing. Women who made names for themselves when young are leading the way. Age has made them wiser, more confident, more influential.
And they are using their age as a time to take advantage of all life has taught them, to use it in new ways, giving it awayto others, to the next generation, and not fading into the sunset because of their years.
I say it’s time to appreciate the special beauty of age in both genders. Do you agree?