Johann Hunt
History isn’t just full of child prodigies and young overachievers; remarkable people who didn’t hit their stride until later in life do exist. Introducing 20 of the most inspiring late bloomers of all time! From revolutionaries to artists, these figures show that greatness can come at any stage in life.
Ronald Reagan: Becoming President At 69
Ronald Reagan made history by becoming the 40th President of the United States just days before his 70th birthday. His presidency continued until he was 78, and he served two successful terms. The former actor’s career is a true testament that the best things often come later in life!
John Glenn: Orbiting Earth At 77
John Glenn was already a renowned astronaut when he made history again at 77. He was the first American to orbit the Earth, completing three full orbits in 1962. In 1998, John became the oldest person to fly in space.
Melchora Aquino de Ramos: Leading The Philippine Revolution At 70+
Melchora Aquino de Ramos, or Tandang Sora, was a Philippine Revolution hero. At over 70, she became a leader, risking her life to help revolutionaries hide and even nurse wounded fighters. Her bravery earned her a hero’s welcome after being exiled to Guam, where she lived another 30 years.
Laura Ingalls Wilder: Starting A Writing Career At 66
Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish the first of her famous “Little House” books until she was 66. Her stories of pioneer life became timeless classics, with over 60 million copies sold. Laura’s late success proves it’s never too late to write your own story and create a lasting legacy.
Peter Roget: A Thesaurus For The Ages
At 73, Peter Roget published his now-iconic thesaurus, a resource that continues to help people with language and writing today. His obsession with words started early, but it wasn’t until his later years that he published the book, which he continued to revise for another 17 years.
Ivy Baldwin: Tightrope Walking At 82
Ivy Baldwin defied expectations when he celebrated his 82nd birthday by walking a tightrope over a Colorado canyon. Known for his adventurous spirit, his life included ballooning and high-wire performances. Clearly, age didn’t slow this aeronaut down in his pursuit of thrills and pushing physical boundaries.
Grandma Moses: A Painter In Her 70s
Affectionately called “Grandma Moses,” Anna Mary Robertson Moses began painting seriously at 78. Upon passing away, she had painted 1,500 works. Her art, depicting rural life, became famous in her 80s and 90s, earning her both critical and commercial success in the field she embraced late in life.
Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father Until The End
Benjamin Franklin was active well into his 80s, signing the Declaration of Independence at 70 and serving as Governor of Pennsylvania until 79. He continued to invent, write, and participate in politics, even becoming one of the most influential figures in the history of the United States.
Philippe Pétain: Ruling France At 84
At 84, Philippe Pétain was appointed to lead Vichy France during WWII. Despite being in his 80s, Pétain took a prominent role, agreeing to become a puppet ruler under Nazi control. His leadership ended in disgrace, but he continued to make significant political moves despite his advanced years.
Emperor Tiberius: Ruling Rome In His Senior Years
While most Roman emperors were young men, Tiberius broke the mold by ruling from age 55 to 77. Despite his age, he managed to keep the empire stable, though his reign was far from peaceful. Often criticized for his methods, he still left a lasting impact on the empire.
Doge Enrico Dandolo: Blind And Leading Venice Into Battle
Enrico Dandolo defied the odds when he led Venice in his 90s despite being blind. At 85, he became Doge of Venice and never slowed down. Even after losing his sight, Enrico launched the Fourth Crusade in his 90s, leading troops into battle and making history with his fearless leadership.
Oscar Swahn: Setting Olympic Records Well Into His 70s
Oscar Swahn wasn’t just a participant in the Olympics; he became the oldest-ever Olympian at 72. The Swedish shooter didn’t stop there, winning six medals over three Olympic Games, including golds, well into his 70s. His determination only proves that age doesn’t hinder excellence in competitive sports.
William IV: A Mellow Monarch Who Became King At 64
William IV wasn’t expecting to inherit the throne, but at 64, he ascended to King of England. Embracing a more humble lifestyle than his predecessors, he focused on social reforms, such as the abolition of slavery, and led England with maturity and perspective, making significant changes for a better society.
Pope Gregory XIII: Changing The Calendar At 80
When Ugo Boncompagni became Pope Gregory XIII at 73, he had no intentions of slowing down. In his 80s, he introduced the Gregorian Calendar, a reform that altered how the world measured time. His work in his later years has left a lasting legacy that affects us all today.
Noah Webster: Revolutionizing Language At 69
At 69, Noah Webster published his famous dictionary, which revolutionized American English. The work laid the foundation for the language as we know it today. Noah continued to update his dictionary until his death, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in language.
Colonel Sanders: Building KFC After 65
Harland “Colonel” Sanders didn’t retire at 65; he started his most successful venture. After years of struggles, he founded KFC at 65, turning his famous recipe into a global brand. His determination and vision transformed him into an icon of perseverance; it’s never too late to make it big!
Winston Churchill: Returning To Leadership In His 70s
Winston Churchill didn’t slow down after leading Britain to victory in WWII. At 77, he made a political comeback, becoming Prime Minister again. Despite health concerns and the weight of his responsibilities, Winston even managed to serve in politics until he was 89 years old.
Cicely Tyson: A Legendary Actress Who Found Stardom In Her 80s
Cicely Tyson’s career spanned more than seven decades, but it wasn’t until she reached her 80s that she truly became a household name. Her powerful performances in “How to Get Away with Murder” and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” earned her critical acclaim and multiple awards.
Harriet Doerr: An Author Who Wrote Her First Novel At 74
Harriet Doerr didn’t publish her first novel, “Stones for Ibarra,” until she was 74. Her debut received rave reviews and won the National Book Award for First Fiction. She continued writing well into her later years, inspiring people to share their voices no matter their age.
Julia Child: Revolutionizing American Cuisine After 50
It’s hard to believe Julia Child’s culinary career didn’t start until after she was 50. After all, she revolutionized American cooking with the popular TV show “The French Chef.” What’s even harder to fathom is that she worked as an Office of Strategic Services (OSS) spy during World War II!