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.
My wife disowned her parents after our son’s birth – 15 years later, she told me the shocking truth
There are times in life when we are at our best, but in the next moment things take an unlike turn no can ever predict.
The story a man named Henry shared resembles a movie plot. The shocking turn of events changed his family forever in ways he could never expect.
As he explained in his post, following the birth of their son, his wife Candice decided to cut ties with her parents. Although he could never understand the reasons behind this drastic decision, he decided to respect her wishes.
However, over time, he felt torn between his wife and his in-laws who loved their grandson Lucas very much. They always showered him with gifts and attention, and this made it even more difficult for him to understand why his wife got estranged from her parents who seemed to be the perfect grandparents.
Intrigued, he decided to learn the truth no matter the cost.
One day, he confronted his wife and asked her why she didn’t want to see her parents. It was unacceptable that she cut all ties with them all of a sudden. Candice refused to speak about it, but Henry was determined and he even threatened to leave her if she didn’t tell him the truth.
At that moment, Candice broke down in tears and it felt like her entire world collapsed. What she had to stay left Henry in a state of shock. He couldn’t even move as he tried to process his wife’s words.
Candice revealed to him that her parents, who were rich and influential people, wanted a grandson whom they would leave their inheritance to, so when Candice gave birth to a baby girl, they forced one of the nurses at the hospital to switch the girl with a baby boy.
Realizing that Lucas wasn’t their biological son shattered Henry’s heart into a million pieces. At the same time, he wondered where his biological child was and what happened to her.
He couldn’t believe that Candice lived with that secret for so long.
Candice told him that the nurse who helped do the crime regretted her decision and wanted to reveal the truth, but her parents got her fired. All she could do was leave a handwritten note revealing the dark secret.
The next step was finding their daughter, Darcy. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, but they eventually tracked the child down and reunited with her. Sadly, the process of taking her back had been a complex one and required plenty of time and long legal battles.
Henry and Candice shared the truth with Lucas and Darcy and both of them accepted it pretty well. The two siblings get along and support each other, and Lucas shows resilience and gratitude for being part of a unique story.
As of Candice’s parents, the family decided not to be close with them as they once were.
Candice had carried the burden of the secret for too long, but she only did that for Lucas.
This truly is an extraordinary story, don’t you think so?
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