Carmen Dell’Orefice at 93: How She Overcame Painful Divorces to Reign as the Oldest Supermodel

In a world where early retirement often seems like the ultimate goal, there are those rare individuals who defy this norm by continuing to work passionately well into their later years. One such remarkable individual is Carmen Dell’Orefice, 93, celebrated as the world’s oldest working model. Let’s dive into her extraordinary journey and the lessons we can learn from her enduring career.

From humbling beginning to Vogue fame.

Carmen Dell’Orefice’s story began when she was discovered at the tender age of 13, in 1944. It’s hard to believe that such a fashion icon could come from such humble beginnings. Growing up, her family faced significant financial struggles. Modeling was just a glimmer of hope in a rather challenging upbringing.

Her first attempt at fashion was far from glamorous. In fact, it was an epic flop. But, as they say, the road to success is often paved with failures.

Just two years after her initial setback, Carmen graced the cover of Vogue at the age of 15. This was a monumental moment, marking the beginning of a legendary career in the fashion industry.

In 2023, Carmen was featured on the cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia, making her the oldest working model in the world. Her timeless beauty and elegance continue to captivate audiences globally.

She faced life’s hurdles, from financial struggles to failed marriages.

Carmen’s early life was fraught with financial difficulties. Her modeling work barely supported her family, so she and her mother also worked as seamstresses to make ends meet. This challenging period taught her resilience and perseverance.

1Her marriage to Bill Miles in the early 1950s added another layer of hardship. Miles exploited her career, collecting her modeling agency checks and giving her a mere $50 from her earnings. Yet, Carmen remained steadfast and continued to rise above these challenges.

Carmen then chose to marry photographer Richard Heimann. However, their marriage was also short-lived. When Carmen stepped away from the modeling industry in 1958, Richard left her.

Facing financial difficulties, Carmen Dell’Orefice made a bold comeback to modeling in 1978. Within just a few years, she was back on the covers of top fashion magazines, showcasing her timeless elegance. Ever since, she has been tirelessly working, featuring in numerous magazines, spearheading advertising campaigns, and strutting down catwalks for prestigious fashion brands.

She shared her secret to timeless beauty and longevity.

One of Carmen’s profound insights into maintaining beauty and longevity is the importance of self-care and self-love. She once said, “Men and women should care for themselves and love themselves. One of the secrets to maintaining beauty is doing what you do for a baby, nurturing and feeding the baby with love. That’s what we should do with ourselves: nurture ourselves, love ourselves, and give that kind of energy to ourselves.”

Carmen embraces aging with grace and dignity. She has never shied away from her age. Instead, she has used it to her advantage, proving that beauty truly knows no age.

Carmen’s unwavering passion for modeling teaches us that retirement is not an obligation but a choice. If you love what you do, there’s no reason to stop, no matter how old you are. Her life is a testament to resilience. Despite numerous challenges, she has continued to thrive, proving that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle.

Another inspiring supermodel is Daphne Selfe, 96, who still makes waves in the fashion industry and hasn’t given any sign of stopping yet. Read her story here.

This Lady Is Married To One Of The Most Beautiful Actors In The World

It’s just that by now, we’re used to seeing certain Hollywood romance tropes repeatedly.There are the young, cute couples who aren’t shy about promoting their blossoming romance on social media; the co-stars who have secret on-set affairs while being probed for adultery; and the old man in his sixties or seventies who is openly romancing a young, gorgeous woman half his age.We observe these paradigms without questioning them and come to accept them as the standard.Pierce Brosnan’s professional contemporaries, along with the general public, assumed he would finish dead last in this competition.Despite being a good fit, he boldly and creatively disproved all the assumptions being made about him.He’s been married to Keely for twenty years, and they’ve been together long enough to start a family.

Their journey has been as romantic and passionate as anyone could have hoped, but poor Keely has been the target of unjustified and terrible hatred as of late.Thankfully, Pierce managed to hold out. He defended his wife in front of the public and showed her how much he loved her despite the criticism. His actions lead us to the following conclusions:Pierce, contrary to popular opinion, “loves every curve” of his wife’s body.In 1994, Pierce met American journalist Keely Shaye Smith for the first time. His first wife Cassandra Harris died of ovarian cancer on December 28, 1991.Pierce, who was left to raise three children on his own, was naturally distraught by her death and unsure of where to begin the healing process.Having Keely in his life at the proper time gave him the boost he needed to embark on the challenging, yet rewarding, role of motherhood.“Her friends offered her weight-loss surgery. However, I adore every curve in her physique. She is the most beautiful woman in my eyes. Additionally, she gave birth to our five children,” says Pierce Brosnan.They adopted Pierce’s two boys, Dylan and Paris, and tied the knot in 2001 in Pierce’s homeland.They’ve been together for twenty wonderful years, and their love for one another has only deepened in that time.Last week, Pierce gave his wife a touching 20th anniversary letter in which he wished her “Happy anniversary my dear Keely, my love forever increases with you” and included two photos of the couple taken 20 years apart to illustrate the wonderful development of their relationship.

The public constantly seems to find something negative to say about the couple, even though there is no reason for them to do so.The hostility seems to be directed towards Keely’s physical appearance, especially her weight. The public at large appears to be startled and outraged.Pierce’s mistake was to marry an idealized version of his own age and physical attractiveness.Someone who doesn’t fit the size 0 mold and has a normal body type rather than looking like a bombshell If he is so wealthy and powerful, why does he choose to marry a common woman who is apparently below his social status?His feelings for her invalidate sexist views on the value of women.It’s easy to forget that one might defy beauty standards by putting on weight. No one forces you to exist in a society where your success is measured by how well you blend in and howlittle of an impact you have on those around you.Growing older means prioritizing different things, and you could find that you no longer need validation from others to feel secure in yourself.Pierce has said that he likes Keely more for who she is than for how she looks.If you’re serious about someone, you’ll be willing to change as they do and adapt your views as they develop.

If love were simple, we wouldn’t have spent millennia trying to figure it out.

Pierce revealed in an interview that several of their acquaintances had suggested that his wife get weight loss surgery, but the former James Bond is unwavering in his admiration for her in spite of her size.

He is completely indifferent to the idle rantings of internet strangers about his girlfriend’s body, which he likes in all its imperfect glory.
Pierce went out of his way to say that he has always had a thing for Keely because of her sweet nature and generous spirit.

“In the past, I actually loved her for her person, not simply for her beauty, and now I’m loving her even more that she is my children’s mother, and I am extremely proud of her, and I always aim to be worthy of her love,” he stated on Hollywood Star.

Pierce has no right to defend his desire for her after 20 years or even to reply to the insult.

But it’s so sweet to watch an elderly couple show their love for one another.
Pierce’s decision to stay with the same woman and continue their relationship stands out as oddly defiant because it is so common for older Hollywood superstars to get connected with attractive, young ladies who are around thirty years their junior.

It once again calls attention to the excessive expectations placed on women’s bodies and appearances; women are told that they must never “let themselves go” and that they must constantly be more gorgeous than men in order to “deserve” love. Any time they act out of character, they give guys carte blanche to pursue other women.

Pierce values his wife more for the role she has played in his life than for her physical attractiveness.
She pulled him out of his despair, allowing him to develop and find his place in a harsh and unforgiving world. It’s not unexpected that the couple is still going strong.

In the face of criticism, love has no chance.

When it comes to their commitment to one another, Keely and Pierce don’t give a hoot about what others think.
As you become older, you realize that it’s not principles but rather a shared understanding of the world and each other that sparks attraction and desire.

When you spend time with someone, it’s not just because they make you feel good physically; it’s also because you wouldn’t want to be with anybody else.

It doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love with them again; it just means you appreciate them beyond their physical looks and traditional standards of beauty.

Pierce’s love for Keely demonstrates that one need not care what others think.