photographY MICHAEL COMNINUS STYLING JORDAN BOORMAN WORDS Kathryn Madden
She’s more than just a number. And yet the statistics tell a confronting story: the majority of women over 45 say they feel overlooked in culture and media, and more than half say they feel less seen and less heard than they did a decade ago. Some describe feeling professionally underestimated or quietly sidelined. The impact is real – confidence drops, ambition narrows, and women begin to internalise the idea that their most meaningful work is behind them.
But we’re here to challenge that narrative, as more and more women are finding their mojo in later life. More Than A Number, a marie claire portfolio created in partnership with Estée Lauder, celebrates extraordinary women over 40 whose most powerful chapters don’t come at the beginning, they come in the middle, or even later.
it’s important the work reflects something I believe in. I feel it’s taken me until my sixties to be doing the things that mean the most to me.
I consider myself a jobbing actor; I’ve gone from job to job since my twenties. You constantly face rejection, which is emotionally tough, but I love it so much I’ve never given up. I feel most absorbed when working in a rehearsal room or on set. I’ve recently started producing as well; I can’t believe I’m getting to learn a new discipline at this stage. It was an opportunity offered by John Edwards. I’m co-producer [and actor]
in his upcoming series Dalliance, an ensemble piece about a group of people in their sixties, in the vein of The Secret Life of Us or Love My
Way. It’s interesting to be able to tell these stories, because people in their sixties have history. At 68, I feel stronger, more vital and I enjoy life more. I’ve had cancer twice, first in my forties, so I feel if I look after my body, there’s no reason I can’t keep living. I don’t feel like life gets narrower as I age, I feel like things keep expanding for me.
MORE THAN A
Beauty Note All makeup by Estée Lauder, featuring Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup, $83.
Heather wears Jac + Jack cardigan.
S
ince turning 60, I’ve been busier than ever. I’ve worked on TV series that I’ve loved [Love Me, The Narrow Road to the Deep North], I’ve written a memoir, and I’ve done a one-woman show, RBG: Of Many, One, which I’ve performed for three years around Australia, eight shows a week. It portrays the incredible American justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and is the best work I’ve ever done; it was a gift given to me by writer Suzie Miller, directed by the wonderful Priscilla Jackman. I used to enjoy plays and films for the experience of acting, but as I get older
“At 60, I started landing my best roles”
NUMBER
Heather Mitchell
ACTOR 67
Sally Hepworth
Author 45
instrumental in helping me through my relationship breakdown. It made me look at them differently and think, “Actually, you’re not just my friends, you’re my life partners. You girls have been here since I was 10, and still are.” It provided inspiration for my latest book, Mad Mabel. The first chapter says something like, “This is a love story, by the way”, and there’s no greater love story than platonic female friendship.
I’m 45 now, though I’ve never been defined by my age. At 40 I became a New York Times best selling author, and at 45, my book The Family Next Door was adapted into a TV series. However, I am defined by the women in my life: writing for them and being friends with them. It’s those connections that make my heart sing. I’m in a new romantic relationship which is wonderful, but it’s not the end of my story. It’s been a different journey for me. It was about finding myself and not putting a relationship at the centre of my world.
B
Sally wears Beare Park blazer and Aje earrings.
“At 43, I got my love story”
efore turning 40, I achieved a certain amount of success and was doing things I’d always dreamt of. I was going on American tours and a couple of my books had been optioned, but it felt kind of hollow inside. I had to pause and take a look at my life and make some changes. That included separating from my husband at 43 after 16 years together. It certainly wasn’t something that I wanted, but unfortunately it was something that happened.
I have a very strong group of girlfriends who were
Tash Sefton
Stylist 49
which was like therapy. It gave me balance and this light that I needed. My personal life was lonely, but it was also a really nice time where ... I began to run a lot, meditate and go deep on what I actually wanted. I started to like myself more. I was adamant I’d remain a single mother, but I met a man. We had a lovely friendship and then all of a sudden it turned into something bigger. We married [in 2024], but I’ve maintained a
relationship with myself, too.
It took me until 45 to learn that before you can give yourself to others, you have to have a strong relationship with yourself. My family now often comment that I seem different, calmer. I’m just more in my body now.
n my forties, I went through a period of change. My husband and I amicably separated, and suddenly I was a single mother, which was terrifying but liberating. I’d been married for 22 years, had two children and a full-on job I loved. I’d worked as a head buyer for a large fashion retailer [then as a blogger/content creator], and I gave all of myself to my job and my family. But the fashion industry was changing – I felt it was becoming more inauthentic – and it was a trigger to reevaluate who I was. I took a step back and started working in animal conservation. I travelled to Ghana and India,
I
Tash wears Aje jacket, her own pants and jewellery.
“At 45, I started again”
Melissa Doyle
Journalist 55
book exploring ageing, Age Against the Machine. I’ve never been someone who’s felt limited by my age … except maybe at the gym! I’m a more well-rounded human because I’ve had so many experiences: good, bad and indifferent. I also think the landscape is shifting. Gone are the days when we thought someone had an expiry date. I look around at my peers in media who are doing incredible things, regardless of their age. I think viewers, readers and listeners are hopefully smart enough to recognise experience and ability rather than just a young, pretty face. If anything, I’m really proud of the age that I am. And I’m excited by what I can do next. There’s a giant map on my wall and I’m constantly looking at it, saying, “Oh my God,I’ve got a whole world out there to explore. Let’s get cracking, girlfriend.”
n 2020, after 25 years on contract [with the Seven Network], I went out on my own as a freelancer. It impacted my identity, or perhaps it impacted other people’s perception of my identity.
I’d always been known for Sunrise and Sunday Night, and I’d find myself saying, “Well, I’m kind of more than that.” But it was exciting to suddenly be the driver of my own bus. Last year when Oprah came knocking [and asked me to host her tour], I was able to say, “Yes, I can drop everything and go on the road with you.”
My friend and former producer Naima Brown and I wrote a
I
Melissa wears Camilla and Marc trench coat, Noah the Label earrings, her own top and pants; stylist’s rings.
“At 50, I went out on my own”
Melissa Leong
Presenter and Author 43
named Who’s Sexiest Person of the year and wrote a best-selling memoir. These were all wonderful markers of success, but what’s amazing about getting older is that you realise a moment is just a moment, and then you keep moving. I’m grateful that if I was going to stumble on public success it happened in my forties and not in my twenties, when I didn’t know myself. As much as I will always evolve as a human being, I’ve reached a certain bedrock of knowing who I am, and that part of me won’t ever change. I’m turning 44 this year and ageing is something I’m deeply contemplative about. We’ve become obsessed with the idea of preserving youth, but what are we losing in being so focused on that? I think it’s designed to distract us from all the benefits and all of the power that comes with earning age.
I
Melissa wears Jac + Jack coat and her own jewellery.
“At 40, I became a celebrity”
always fancied myself as someone who could move effectively in silence in the background. I liked the idea of producing great work and being a part of great things, but not necessarily being front-facing. So becoming a public figure was bizarre. I started filming MasterChef [as a judge] in early 2020, and by March we were socially distanced and isolated, so my [initial entry into celebrity] happened online. It wasn’t until we were out and about again I realised it was a real thing. Suddenly I was being followed by paps and stopped in the supermarket. I was nominated for a Gold Logie,
Ronni Kahn
Founder of Ozharvest 73
I believe if you want to do something, do it now because tomorrow is never a guarantee. If you haven’t found your purpose at 30, 40 or 50, it’s never too late. I loved my previous business, but ... from the very first time I delivered food in my van [to a homeless shelter], I felt this magic that no money I’d ever earned, nothing I’d ever done, could compare to. That magic is still alive. I feel so energised, why would I stop? At OzHarvest, I’m always adding new programs, always reinventing. I’m called the visionary in residence, which is pretty cool. My latest project is an initiative called the Hunger Solutions Lab to end hunger in Australia by 2040. As someone who’s 73 years young, it’s a privilege to be in a position to use my track record, my experience and my wisdom – if there is any! – to make a difference. I don’t believe your biological age should have a bearing on how you live and act; I feel about 40. I’ve heard 70 is supposed to be the new 60, but I’ve stopped counting.
hen I launched OzHarvest, I had no fears about taking the plunge. It didn’t even occur to me that I could fail. I ran a boutique events company, was appalled by the food waste and realised I should be feeding people with it. I didn’t think I was doing anything ground-breaking. Though if I’d had the same idea in my twenties or thirties, I’m not sure I would have succeeded. My years of experience in logistics were valuable and gave me a lot of confidence.
W
Ronni wears Lee Mathews coat, Dinosaur Designs earrings and her own necklaces.
“At 52, I found my purpose”
Yvonne Weldon
Politician 55
Service, Aboriginal Children’s Service and Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern, Sydney. I was a child of the revolution who watched meetings and heated discussions, and listened and marched. I’ve been on the boards of Aboriginal organisations since I was 21, and have worked for government and non-profits. Growing up, my elders were very important to me. It’s heartbreaking, because I haven’t had a grandmother for many years now, and there isn’t a day when I don’t think of them. My dad’s mum lived to about 70, and
my mum’s mum to 66. My mum is now 73, so she’s outlived her own mum. For me, turning 50 was a bonus because it’s a privilege that so many in my family haven’t had. And to now be an elected counsellor is something that those who came before me would never have dreamed of. I turn 55 this year and I have hopes to become Sydney’s lord mayor in the future. If I can achieve that, imagine the possibility for those who come after me.
Yvonne wears Aje shirt and her own jewellery.
“At 50, I made history”
n 2021, I became the first Aboriginal councillor in the City of Sydney’s 180-year history. It was a milestone not just for me, but for First Nations people. A few years before, I’d become a grandmother at 48. My grandson became my key driver and inspiration, about hope for the next generation, to leave this place better for them. My purpose hasn’t changed as I’ve gotten older, it’s just now playing out on a bigger stage. My family has been very active in the Aboriginal community. They helped create the Aboriginal Legal
I
ON SALE NOW!
Read more in the March 2026 issue.
