Christy Turlington Reveals Why She Doesn’t Want To Be the 'Face of Aging Beauty'

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In the ’90s, Christy Turlington was one of the world’s biggest and most successful supermodels, wowing on magazine covers and runway shows worldwide. Decades later, her natural beauty still has fans in awe. But, unlike what many of these fans and publications care to believe, she’s not necessarily embracing the “face of aging beauty” label.

Talking about her life and career in the new cover story for Harper’s Bazaar, Turlington explained why becoming the prime example of “gracefully aging” is just not her thing. “I don’t want to put myself out as the face of aging beauty,” she said. Seeing her open up, it’s clear she just wants to be herself.

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And, in doing so, she’s left outside comments about her appearance to a minimum. “I don’t have my [social media] comments on,” she told the outlet. “My daughter told me to do that a couple years ago. I’m really happy that I don’t [have to see the comments].”

As a reminder, Turlington shares kids Grace, 20, and son Finn, 18, with her husband and actor Ed Burns.

“I can’t say that I’m Teflon,” she said of her toughness with media attention. “I’m sure if I did read something that was pointed or mean, it would hurt me in the same way. But I also try not to give that much attention to any of it.”

Grace Burns, Christy Turlington at arrivals for The Kering Foundation Second Annual Caring For Women Dinner, The Pool, New York, NY September 12, 2023. Photo by: Quoin Pics/Everett Collection
Grace Burns, Christy Turlington at arrivals for The Kering Foundation Second Annual Caring For Women Dinner, The Pool, New York, NY September 12, 2023. (Quoin Pics/Everett Collection)

Instead, Turlington is focusing on the now, and making decisions for her that feel right in the moment. Most recently, she’s found herself making plans around her next milestone birthday. “I’ll be 60 in five years, and I want to start thinking through what the next five years will be for me personally,” she said.

As for what that could look like, the 55-year-old hopes her non-profit, Every Mother Counts, makes some significant progress. “Early on, I said I hope that by the time she’s thinking about if and when and how and why she wants to be a mom, these issues [around maternal health] are the rare event that most people think that they are. And we’re very far away from that right now.”

As for her thoughts on aging, Turlington admits that growing old is not only not scary, but is exciting too! “One of my friends is in her early 60s, and she believes that the golden age is 68,” she said. “That’s the place where you might be a grandparent if your kids have families. You’re probably retired. You are hopefully healthy enough to enjoy your grandchildren or having more flexibility and time and freedom.”

“I like that as being a farther-away number because I’m like, ‘Oh, I can build up to 68,'” she added.

With a positive attitude like this one, we’re sure Turlington will reach 68 still looking beautiful and full of love and accomplishments behind her.

Before you go, click here to see actresses over 50 who are more successful now than ever.

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