It's Never Too Late: Inspiring Stories of Women Who Found Success Later in Life

Proof it's never too late to start pursuing your passion.

Dreams don’t come with expiration dates. The journey to success is not a race—it’s a process filled with growth, persistence, and discovery. Whether you’re 25 or 75, it’s never too late to chase what sets your soul on fire. The best chapters of your life might be the ones you haven’t written yet.

1. Vera Wang

• Became famous at: 40

• Career: Fashion designer

• Inspiration: Vera started her career in fashion after working as a figure skater and journalist.

• Quote: "Success isn’t about the end result; it’s about what you learn along the way."

2. Julia Child

• Became famous at: 50

• Career: Chef and author

• Inspiration: She published her first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, at 50, which launched her culinary career.

• Quote: "Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it."

3. Toni Morrison

• Became famous at: 39

• Career: Novelist and Nobel Prize winner

• Inspiration: Morrison published her first novel, The Bluest Eye, at 39.

• Quote: "You wanna fly, you got to give up the stuff that weighs you down."

4. Susan Boyle

• Became famous at: 47

• Career: Singer

• Inspiration: She rose to fame after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

• Quote: "I dreamed a dream, and it came true."

5. Kathryn Joosten

• Became famous at: 60

• Career: Actress (Desperate Housewives)

• Inspiration: After raising her family, Kathryn pursued acting in her 40s, eventually winning two Emmy Awards.

• Quote: "You can’t be afraid to risk everything to follow your dreams."

---

6. Oprah Winfrey

• Became famous at: 30s (but hit billionaire status at 49)

• Career: Media mogul and philanthropist

• Inspiration: Oprah overcame a challenging childhood to become one of the most influential women in the world.

• Quote: "The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but on significance."

7. Anna Mary Robertson Moses (Grandma Moses)

• Became famous at: 78

• Career: Painter

• Inspiration: She began painting in her 70s after retiring from farming, and her artwork gained worldwide recognition.

• Quote: "I look back on my life like a good day’s work. It was done and I am satisfied with it."

8. Mary Kay Ash

• Became famous at: 45

• Career: Entrepreneur, founder of Mary Kay Inc.

• Inspiration: Mary started her cosmetics company after retiring from a 25-year corporate career.

• Quote: "Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it, so it goes on flying anyway."

---

9. J.K. Rowling

• Became famous at: 32

• Career: Author (Harry Potter series)

• Inspiration: She wrote Harry Potter as a single mother on welfare before the books became a global phenomenon.

• Quote: "Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."

10. Colonel Harland Sanders

• Became famous at: 62

• Career: Founder of KFC

• Inspiration: After many failures, he franchised his first KFC restaurant in his 60s.

• Quote: "You have to learn that failure is just a stepping stone to something better."

11. Laura Ingalls Wilder

• Became famous at: 65

• Career: Author (Little House on the Prairie series)

• Inspiration: She published her first book in the series at 65, inspired by her childhood.

• Quote: "The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful."

---

12. Viola Davis

• Became famous at: Late 40s

• Career: Actress

• Inspiration: Viola’s breakout role came after years of hard work in theater and smaller film roles.

• Quote: "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity."

13. Joy Behar

• Became famous at: 40s

• Career: Comedian and TV personality

• Inspiration: Joy became a household name in her 40s through her comedic and television career.

• Quote: "You have to be the hero of your own story."

14. Carol Gardner

• Became famous at: 52

• Career: Entrepreneur, founder of Zelda Wisdom greeting cards

• Inspiration: Carol started her company after a divorce, using her English bulldog, Zelda, as inspiration.

• Quote: "Sometimes what feels like the end is really just the beginning."

---

15. Sheryl Sandberg

• Became famous at: 40s

• Career: COO of Meta and author of Lean In

• Inspiration: Sheryl’s influence as a leader in tech and her advocacy for women gained traction later in her career.

• Quote: "Done is better than perfect."

These stories remind us that determination, courage, and resilience can change lives, no matter when you start. Let these remarkable women and their paths to success inspire you to believe in your potential and push through any discomfort holding you back.