Joan Collins Turns 91: Photos of Her Transforming Appearance through the Years

Her childhood was unconventional as she grew up during the Blitz period. Years later, Joan thought it would be great to do a film about growing up with her sister during this era but her dream hasn’t come to fruition.

Even so, the actress said that as the war continued, she was just a child, unaware of the bombings. She would collect fragments of debris from the streets and store them in her cigar box each evening.

She narrated, “We would draw silly pictures of Hitler. We were evacuated 10 or 12 times. We would be in the tube stations, and people would be playing their harmonicas and singing.”

Despite the chaos, Joan Collins, who deeply loved her Anglican Briton mother, realized that she did not want to live the same life her mom lived. “Mummy was the 1950s housewife, very sweet and very docile,” she explained.
The actress had previously said that her mom, who died at the age of 52, died very young because she never spoke back to her husband.

oan also shared that “My father never held back. I saw him as a figure to look up to more than my mother. I loved her to death but I considered her to be weak and I hated all the clothes she wore.”
The actress’s mother consistently wore girdles, suspenders, stockings, tight bras, underpinnings, and corsets, which Joan disliked.

Joan, who took great care in her appearance, was voted the most beautiful girl in England by a photographers’ association when she was 18. The newspapers asked her dad what he thought about her daughter’s position, he replied, “I’m amazed. She’s a nice-enough-looking girl. Nothing special.”

At this point, Joan had departed from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), developed a passion for French existentialism, admired the singer Juliette Gréco, and dreamed of becoming a celebrated stage actress.

The focus on her appearance was even more as her film career progressed. Joan disclosed that in Hollywood, she faced daily verbal abuse.
She recounted how the makeup department gave her cruel nicknames, such as “Moonface” due to her baby fat and “Scrawny Legs” because of her thin legs. She remembered the department as a large group of women who were particularly harsh and unkind to her.

In 1955, when Joan was 22, she was cast in the biopic about Evelyn Nesbit “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing.” Evelyn was considered the most beautiful girl in New York and Joan was to play her.

So, one day, Joan who was still in the Juliette Gréco character and thus had no makeup and was in jeans with scruffy hair, ran into her director Richard Fleischer. Richard told her, “Oh my God, I cannot look at you – you are so ugly. You cannot go around like that – put some makeup on, get your hair done, get a proper dress.”

Just like her career, Joan’s personal life also had its ups and downs. When she was 17, still a virgin, the actress went on a date with actor Maxwell Reed, aged 31. He spiked her rum and coke and raped her.

“I was 17, but I was the equivalent mentally of 12. We did not have sex education,” she noted. Shockingly, Maxwell became the actress’s first husband. When asked why she chose to marry her rapist, she answered, “Because I come from a generation where if you’re going to have sex, you get married.”

However, when Joan learned that Maxwell wanted to give her to older men for $12,710 a night as long as he could watch, she stood up for herself. After four years of marriage, the two divorced.

In her 20s, Joan lived with several men, including Sydney Chaplin and Arthur Loew Jr. She also had an affair with a married man who was eight years her senior. As much as the man was handsome, witty, and fascinating, Joan said the affair was utter hell and she never engaged in one again.

Hollywood men, including directors, also went after Joan. In her autobiography, “Behind the Shoulder Pads,” the actress revealed that she was offered the role of Cleopatra in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s film on the condition that she got along well with Buddy Adler, the head of Fox, and the chairman of the board.

Joan, who was disgusted by how directors and producers, who were old men, took advantage of young actresses said no as she never wanted to be a part of that. The Cleopatra role was given to Elizabeth Taylor.

In the memoir, Joan also wrote about having an abortion when she got pregnant at 26 with her fiancé, Beatty, a 23-year-old aspiring actor. Beatty convinced Joan to abort the baby because it would derail their career. Years later, she agreed with him, noting that if he had a baby, she would have had to say goodbye to her acting career.

Joan went on to have three kids. She had her first two, Tara and Alexander with her second husband, Anthony Newley. Her last child, Katyana, is with her second husband Ron Kass.

The actress’s third husband was Peter Holm and she is now married to Percy Gibson. Joan announced that she was engaged to Percy in December 2001 and then the pair got married in 2002 at Claridge’s Hotel in London, in front of 175 guests.
The lovebirds, who have been together for over two decades, met when Joan was featured in a touring production of the play “Love Letters” in the US. The Peruvian-born theatre manager also helped Joan edit her novel “Star Quality.”

Many people talked when Joan and Percy Gibson got married because he is 32 years younger than her. Joan was asked to comment on their age difference and she said, “Well, if he dies, he dies.”
In 2023, Joan gushed about her marriage saying that she had found the right man in her current husband, “Oh yes, Percy and I have been married for 21 years and it’s just marvelous.”

Now, Joan is in her 90s but she still has the youthful charm and grace in her presence. When asked if she has had cosmetic procedures done, the actress simply said with a shrug, “If people want to think I’ve had surgery, then…”

Joan added, “You can tell [I haven’t] because I have lines and jowls. When I see women around my age I think: ‘Oh, really? My gosh, I look quite a bit…’ I think I look pretty good!”
The movie star is also needle-phobic and just couldn’t bring herself to have cosmetic work done on her. She attributes her good look, perfect complexion, and youthfulness to staying out of the sun.
She added that her mom taught her to moisturize her skin and use night cream, something she also taught her daughters. Joan’s lovely appearance still amazes her fans.

In April 2024, Joan enjoyed a fun photoshoot for the New York Times Fashion and Style section. She looked radiant in a white cardigan paired with an off-white cap and black trousers.

A fan, amazed by her look, said, “You are simply iconic, dear one, and stunning ♥️♥️.” Another admirer commented, “You always look so beautiful♥️.”
When she turned 90 in 2023, a fan shared a picture of Joan taken on the streets. The actress was in a modest flower dress styled with a white coat, a sun hat, and sunglasses. The fan captioned the post, “Happiest of birthdays to Dame Joan Collins, who turns 90 but easily looks at least 20 years younger.”

At 91, Joan Collins is content with both her personal and professional life. Retirement isn’t on her agenda, as she plans to continue working because of her passion for it.
She acknowledged that performing her one-woman show and staying in a different hotel each night was exhausting, but the enthusiastic audiences and her love for her work made it a rewarding experience.

My DIL Gifted Me a Box of Insects for My 60th Birthday, When She Heard My Announcement At The Party, She Made Herself a Victim

My DIL Gifted Me a Box of Insects for My 60th Birthday, When She Heard My Announcement At The Party, She Made Herself a Victim

On Martha’s 60th birthday, her daughter-in-law plays a cruel prank that causes chaos at the party. Amid the panic, Martha stays calm, knowing her big announcement will turn the tables.

So, it was my 60th birthday, and I was determined to make it a memorable one—after all, you only turn 60 once, right?

As I flitted from one room to another, making sure everything was in place, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. You see, a week ago, my daughter-in-law, Emily, and I had a bit of a blowout and I couldn’t help but feel it would come back to bite me.

Mature woman looking pensive | Source: Pexels

Emily has a gross habit of leaving food out for days—sometimes even weeks. So, I pointed it out to her, thinking she might appreciate the heads-up about potential insect problems. Boy, was I wrong.

“Mind your own business, Martha,” she snapped, her eyes flashing with anger. “You always have something to say about how I run my house.”

I stood there, taken aback. “Emily, I’m just trying to help. You know how quickly pests can—”

“I don’t need your help,” she snarled.

Woman crossing her arms | Source: Pexels

We hadn’t spoken since. That’s why, when she arrived at my party acting unusually sweet, I felt a knot of suspicion tighten in my stomach.

But I decided to forget about it, focusing instead on enjoying my day with my family and friends.

The party was in full swing when the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” I called, hurrying to the door. The mailman handed me a brightly wrapped package with a big “Happy Birthday” label on it. My guests gathered around, their curiosity piqued.

“Open it, Martha!” someone urged.

Gift | Source: Pexels

With everyone watching, I placed the box on the dining table and carefully lifted the lid. My eyes widened in horror as hundreds of insects—ants, caterpillars, and other creepy crawlies—spilled out, swarming over the table and onto the floor.

Chaos erupted. People screamed and jumped back, knocking over chairs and spilling drinks.

“What the heck?!” my friend Lisa shrieked, swatting at a cockroach crawling up her leg.

“Who would do such a thing?” Aunt Jane gasped.

I knew Emily was behind this, but I said nothing, knowing that she’d soon get payback.

Smiling mature woman | Source: Pexels

Everyone fled to the backyard. My friends and family stood around, shaking their heads and murmuring about the audacity of someone pulling such a prank.

“Can you believe it?” Lisa asked, still swatting at imaginary insects. “Who would do something so cruel?”

Aunt Jane, ever the drama queen, clutched her pearls even tighter. “It’s despicable! What kind of person would ruin a birthday party like this?”

As the guests continued to express their disgust and confusion, I knew it was time for my big reveal.

Mature woman | Source: Pexels

I clinked my glass with a spoon. “Everyone, may I have your attention, please?”

The crowd quieted down, all eyes turning to me.

“First of all, thank you all for making my 60th birthday so special, despite the… unexpected turn of events,” I began, glancing at the house behind me. “As you all know, reaching this milestone has made me reflect on my life and my future.”

I paused, allowing my words to sink in before dropping the bombshell. “So, I’ve decided it’s time for a change. I’m retiring and moving to the countryside.”

A suburban home | Source: Pexels

A collective murmur ran through the crowd. I raised my hand to silence them. “And, I’m giving this house to my son, Mark, and his lovely wife, Emily.”

Gasps echoed around the backyard. Emily’s face turned ashen. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Mark looked at her, bewildered. “Emily, what’s wrong?”

She stammered, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route.

“It… it was supposed to be a joke,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

A woman | Source: Pexels

Mark’s confusion deepened. “What are you talking about?”

Emily swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. “The insects. It was me. I sent them as a prank. I never imagined we’d end up with the house!”

A stunned silence fell over the guests.

Mark’s face turned crimson with anger. “You did what?”

“It was just a joke!” Emily insisted, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I thought it would be funny. I didn’t think—”

Mark cut her off, his voice cold and furious.

Stern looking man | Source: Pexels

“You think it’s amusing to ruin my mother’s birthday?” Mark’s jaw clenched tight. “We need to talk. Now.”

He took her by the arm and led her away from the party, leaving the rest of us in stunned silence.

The guests exchanged shocked glances, the weight of the situation settling in. I watched Mark and Emily disappear into the house, feeling a mix of vindication and sadness.

I hadn’t wanted this day to end in such turmoil, but Emily had brought this upon herself.

Mature woman sitting | Source: Pexels

Minutes felt like hours, but finally, Emily emerged from the house, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She hurried past us without a word, got into her car, and drove away.

The sound of the engine starting and then fading into the distance felt like the closing of a particularly painful chapter.

Mark returned, his expression a mixture of frustration and resignation. He walked over to me, and I could see the weight of the situation bearing down on his shoulders.

“I’m so sorry, Mom,” he said quietly. “I had no idea she would do something like this.”

A bearded man | Source: Unsplash

I placed a reassuring hand on his arm. “It’s not your fault, Mark. This is something she’ll need to think about and hopefully learn from.”

The guests, sensing the end of the festivities, began to leave. One by one, they offered their goodbyes, their faces still marked with the shock of the evening’s revelations.

“Take care, Martha. And happy birthday,” Lisa said softly, giving me a hug before she left.

After everyone was gone, Mark and I sat in the now-quiet backyard. The decorations looked sad and out of place in the aftermath of the chaos.

Party decorations on a table | Source: Pexels

“What a mess,” Mark sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“It’s a mess, but it’s also a chance to clean up, literally and figuratively,” I replied, trying to offer some comfort. “Sometimes things need to break before they can be fixed.”

In the following days, the house felt emptier. Emily didn’t come back, and Mark was left to deal with the aftermath alone. He threw himself into cleaning up the remnants of the party, as if physical labor could somehow mend the emotional damage.

Man cleaning windows | Source: Pexels

One afternoon, as I packed the last of my belongings for the move to the countryside, Mark sat with me in the living room. “I’m really sorry about everything, Mom,” he said, his voice heavy with regret.

I looked at him, seeing the man he had become—the struggles, the growth, and the resilience.

“It’s okay, Mark. This situation isn’t easy for any of us. But sometimes, these difficult moments make us stronger.”

He nodded, a look of determination in his eyes.

Close up of a man’s right eye | Source: Pexels

“I just want to make things right with Emily. I need to understand why she did what she did and how we can move forward.”

“I know you will,” I said, giving him a reassuring smile. “And this house—it’s yours now. It’s a place for you to create new memories, to rebuild and grow.”

Moving day arrived, and as I looked around the empty house one last time, I felt a mixture of sadness and hope. This was the place where I had raised my family, where we had shared countless memories.

But it was also a place of new beginnings.

Packed boxes for moving house | Source: Pexels

As I drove to my new home in the countryside, I thought about Mark and Emily. I hoped this incident would be a turning point for them, a chance to reflect on their relationship and the values they wanted to uphold.

In the quiet serenity of the countryside, I found peace. The rolling hills and open skies offered a fresh start, a chance to embrace the next chapter of my life. And as I settled into my new home, I remained hopeful for my son’s future.