This hall of fame is the complete opposite of those amazing inspiring individuals that just seem to click with their purpose and do amazing things at a young age. We see those articles and yes we get that awe and inspirating but then we immediately feel lacking that we are not doing amazing things.
We’ve been told that if we haven’t “made it” by 30, then we’ve missed the proverbial boat. Prepare to be inspired! These 10 Legends didn’t just miss the proverbial boat… they built their own ships of their success in their 40s, 50s, and beyond!
The Canadian Contingent:
- Louise Penny: She was a CBC radio host for 18 years before quitting at 37 to write. She didn’t publish her first Chief Inspector Gamache novel, Still Life, until she was 47! Now, she’s a global bestseller, her series has turned into a series on Apple, AND she was one of the first to declare her travel to the United States is over for now. The Pivot Lesson: Just because you have been at a career for a long time doesn’t mean that it is all there is for you.
- Jann Arden: A proud treasure of Calgary, Alberta as a musical talent she has had a massive music career, she then pivoted into being a bestselling author and the star of her own hit comedy series JANN in her late 50s. The Pivot Lesson: She is the patron saint of not taking yourself too seriously while reinventing everything.
- Kim Thuy: A former seamstress, interpreter, and restauateur, this Quebec author didn’t publish her debut novel Ru until she was 41. It went on to win the Governor General’s Award and become an international sensation! The Pivot Lesson: Life can zig and zag but finding your calling is always possible.
- Bonnie Burnard: A Saskatchewan jewel of the prairie! She was a long-time editor and short story writer who didn’t publish her first novel, A Good House, until she was 54. It won the Giller Prize and became a Canadian classic! The Pivot Lesson: Your local roots are the perfect soil for a late-season bloom.
The Global Legends:
- Vera Wang: She didn’t design her first bridal gown until she was 40, after a career in competitive figure skating and as a Vogue editor. The Pivot Lesson: Your previous careers are just research for your true calling.
- Julie Child: She didn’t discover French cuisine or start cooking seriously until she was nearly 40. She didn’t host The French Chef until she was 51. The Pivot Lesson: Your passion is your timeline. Period.
- Grandma Moses: She was a farm wife who didn’t start painting seriously until arthritis made embroidery difficult. She was discovered by a collector at 78 and painted over 1,500 canvases in her Second Spring. The Pivot Lesson: It is never too late to create your masterpiece.
- Toni Morrison: She was a 39 year old single mother working as a textbook editor when she published her first novel, The Bluest Eye. She famously wrote in the early hours of the morning before her kids woke up, proving that capacity isn’t about having a perfectly clear schedule – it’s about a fierce devotion to your own voice. The Pivot Lesson: Your main character era doesn’t have a deadline, and your story doesn’t need a room of your own – just a heart that refuses to be quiet.
- Kathryn Bigelow: She spent decades directing stylized action and cult classics, but she didn’t reach the summit of her industry until her late 50s. At 58, she became the first woman in history to win the Academy Award for Best Director for The Hurt Locker. The Pivot Lesson: The highest glass ceilings are often broken in the Second Spring. Experience isn’t just baggage it’s the fuel for your most powerful work.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder: Most of us grew up with her stories, but she didn’t actually become an author until the Great Depression hit. Urged by her daughter, she published Little House in the Big Woods at the age of 65. She spent her 70s and 80s becoming one of the most beloved storytellers in history. The Pivot Lesson: You are never too old to look back at your life, pick up a pen, and turn your history into a legacy.
Before you go: check this out: Louise Penny on the power of starting late!
If you want to read more: Check this out!
Whenever you are feeling a little lacklustre due to where you feel you should be take a read again over this. From all of these awesome awe-inducing women to look up to and be encouraged to build your own ship. What might be possible is all up to you. These ladies are proof that anyone can pivot… and so can you!
Image for graphic by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash