This week the Svelte team started looking into inspirational women over 40, and found that a quick google search led us only to links such as “Beautiful women over 40”. It was quite difficult to find a list of over achieving women over 40 that excelled in their field. So we decided, why not make one? Here’s our list of 10 women over 40 that inspire us.
Susan Cain, 49, author of Quiet : The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, founder of Quiet Revolution.
In 2012 Susan Cain published her non-fiction book, Quiet : The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, which explains the value and capabilities of introverts inside a society that values extraverts. In 2015 the founded Quiet Revolution, a company focused on helping companies create and environment that places value in their employee’s temperaments and skills.
Vera Wang, 67, founder and designer of Vera Wang
The fashion designer started her career at 40, after leaving Ralph Lauren. Today her wedding gowns are some of the most sought after, and celebrities such as Ivanka Trump, Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian habe worn her designs for their big day!
Cate Blanchett, 48, actress and theatre director
Cate’s career started in 1992, and she has since stared in films like Elizabeth, Carol, Babel, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Lord Of the Rings and Blue Jasmine. She has won 2 Academy Awards, three Golden Globe awards and three Critics Choice Awards among many others.
Kathryn Bigelow, 65, film director.
And American film director, producer and writer, Kathryn is most commonly known for her movie The Hurt Locker, winner of 2 Academy Awards (including Best Director), as well as Zero Dark Thirty.
Victoria Beckham, 43, Fashion designer and founder of Victoria Beckham
We all knew her as Posh Spice, and then the wife of famed soccer player David Beckham. But Victoria is now the head and founder of one of the largest fashion houses, as well as a style icon.
Charlotte Tilbury, 44, make-up artist
Although you may not recognize her name, you have probably seen some of her famous customers looking gorgeous on the red carpet. Charlotte has worked for Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, Gisele Bundchen, among others. She later launched her own brand of makeup that is now stocked in major department stores across the world.
Sarah Burton, 43, creative director of Alexander McQueen
Sarah Burton is probably most famous for having created Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, for her wedding to Price William. In 2010 she was named the new creative director of Alexander McQueen, after the designer’s death.
Michelle Obama, 53, lawyer, writer and former first lady of the United States
The former first lady is known for campaigning women’s and LGBT rights, as well as creating Let’s Move, an organization that aims to lower childhood obesity in the United States.
Oprah Winfrey, 63, media mogul
Oprah is famous, and not just for her talk show. She media proprietor is also an actress and producer, as well as a philanthropist. Coming from a single teenage mother in rural Mississippi, she rose to the successful and inspirational woman she is today.
Anna Wintour, 67, editor-in-chief of Vogue
Editor-in-Chief of Vogue as well as artistic director for Condé Nast, Anna is known for her major influence in the fashion industry as well as her support of young designers. Anna is widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her impeccable style.
Who would be on your list?