12 ageless women setting their own terms today
Who runs the world? Girls…
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Defying the boundaries of age, these remarkable women have consistently proved that persistence, hard work, and passion can shape extraordinary lives. From storytellers and powerlifters to global CEOs and icons of style, they remind us that age is just a number, and that true inspiration comes from resilience, reinvention, and authenticity. Their journeys challenge society’s narrow definitions of success and beauty, proving that each decade brings new opportunities to evolve. In celebrating them, we also celebrate the idea that ambition has no deadline, and the glass ceiling was built to be shattered.
Zeenat Aman, Actor
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Zeenat Aman redefined Indian cinema in the 1970s and 80s with her bold, unconventional roles that challenged stereotypes. From Hare Rama Hare Krishna to Don and Qurbani, she brought glamour, independence, and strength to the screen. Decades later, she continues to be celebrated not only for her unforgettable performances but also for her timeless beauty, wit, and meme-worthy charm. While many think of retirement as an ending, Zeenat Aman turned it into a reinvention—finding a whole new audience through her self-deprecating humour and relatable Instagram posts. She’s graced the covers of leading magazines even today, further cementing her status as a cultural icon. Always ahead of the curve, she continues to prove that relevance has no expiry date.
Neena Gupta, Actor
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A powerhouse of talent, Neena Gupta has carved a unique space in Indian cinema with unforgettable performances—from the iconic television show Saans, which was way ahead of its time in exploring complex relationships, to films like Badhaai Ho, where she portrayed a middle-aged pregnant woman, broke age and gender stereotypes and became one of the most celebrated performers of our time. More recently, Gupta has been winning hearts on OTT platforms with Panchayat. Off-screen, her bold decision to raise her daughter, the celebrated designer Masaba, as a single mother in the 1980s made her a trailblazer for independent women across generations. Over the years, she has redefined what it means to be fearless—whether by breaking the taboo of openly asking for work or embracing fashion that defies conventions.
Mukta Singh, Model and Artist
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With her striking silver hair and magnetic presence, Mukta Singh has emerged at 58 to become a powerful figure in Indian fashion, redefining the idea of age and beauty on the runway. But her story extends far beyond the catwalk. She is also a painter, wife, mother, and practising Buddhist, drawing from creativity and mindfulness to anchor her life. In the early years, Singh often pushed her own appearance and confidence aside, slipping into moments of self-doubt. Yet rather than accept those limitations, she chose reinvention. Modelling became more than a profession: it was a reclamation of self, a space where she could embrace her evolving beauty and turn vulnerability into strength. Today, Singh isn’t just walking shows—she’s walking women through the idea that reinvention is ageless.
Arundhati Roy, Author and Activist
Arundhati Roy’s Booker Prize–winning debut, The God of Small Things, catapulted her into the global literary spotlight, but her voice has always resonated far beyond the books she writes. As an essayist and activist, she fearlessly confronts issues of human rights, the environment, and social justice—showcasing the power of words to challenge, inspire, and ignite change. Her turbulent, almost fugitive childhood—marked by constant moves and the struggle to survive—shaped not only her worldview but also her uncompromising spirit. Now, in her forthcoming memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me—its title inspired by the Beatles’ Let It Be—Roy turns her gaze inward, offering a deeply personal account of her relationship with her mother, the educationist and women’s rights activist Mary Roy, and her own journey to becoming a writer.
Seema Anand, Author and Storyteller
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A mythologist and author, Seema Anand has devoted her career to reviving the forgotten narratives of women in ancient Indian literature. Through her books and lectures, she unpacks themes of sexuality, pleasure, and empowerment—challenging taboos and reframing cultural perspectives. Seema chose to study the seminal Indian treatise on sexuality, Kama Sutra , through the lens of shringar (adornment). Her journey was never about chasing influence; it has always been about storytelling. With persistence and fearlessness, she reminds us that protecting heritage and knowledge requires courage—and her work embodies exactly that.
Anita Dongre, Fashion Designer
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One of India’s most celebrated fashion designers, Anita Dongre has built her empire by seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Through her House of Anita Dongre and her sustainable label Grassroot, she has championed fashion that is both beautiful and socially responsible—supporting artisans, empowering women, and putting Indian design firmly on the global stage. Rooted in the culture of Rajasthan, her childhood was steeped in craft. Summers were spent watching her mother hand-stitch clothes for her and her siblings, instilling in them an early love for fashion and the handmade—a passion that continues to shape Anita’s journey today. Over the years, her spectacular fashion shows have become cultural moments in their own right.
Twinkle Khanna, Author and Entrepreneur
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From Bollywood stardom to bestselling author, Twinkle Khanna has mastered the art of reinvention. Celebrated for her wit and razor-sharp observations, she has carved out her own niche with books like Mrs Funnybones and her 2023 bestseller Welcome to Paradise, while also expanding her voice through Tweak India, a digital platform spotlighting women’s ideas and stories. Most recently, she has stepped into new territory as co-host of Prime Video’s talk show Tweak Talk alongside Kajol, and through her company Mrs Funnybones Movies, she has taken on the role of producer—adapting the story of celebrated social entrepreneur Arunachalam Mruganantham into the acclaimed film Pad Man. For Khanna, achievement is not measured by one role alone but by the courage to pursue many, all while refusing to let failure dictate worth—reminding us that belief in oneself is the truest marker of success.
Chandrika Tandon, Grammy-Winning Musician
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At 70, Chandrika Tandon became a Grammy winner with Triveni, an album that wove together Vedic chants and world music. A pioneering businesswoman turned artist, she was the first Indian-American woman partner at McKinsey & Company, later founding Tandon Capital Associates, and is also a major philanthropist—donating $100 million to establish the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. Elder sister to former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, she continues to champion both emotional and economic empowerment through music and STEM education, proving that success is not a destination but a lifelong pursuit of passion.
Leena Nair, Chanel Global CEO
Leena Nair made history as the first female Global CEO of Chanel, carrying with her three decades of experience at Unilever, where she was also the first woman, youngest, and first Asian Chief Human Resources Officer. As one of the few women of colour to lead a major luxury house, she is reshaping the future of fashion while championing diversity, inclusivity, and purpose-driven business. Recognised for her human-centered leadership and her belief in “lift as you climb,” Nair is known to view leadership not as an individual pursuit but as a legacy—one built on empathy, compassion, and impact that uplifts not only her teams but also generations to come.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Entrepreneur
As the founder and chairperson of Biocon, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is a pioneering entrepreneur who transformed India’s biotech industry by building one of the country’s most successful biopharmaceutical companies, making affordable medicines accessible globally. Trained as a brewer in Australia, she returned to India only to face repeated rejection in a male-dominated field, yet overcame early skepticism to establish Biocon from the ground up. Celebrated with national and international honours, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, she continues to champion innovation, affordability, and philanthropy—proving that resilience and vision can turn obstacles into legacy.
Reeni Tharakan, Powerlifter
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At 63, Reeni Tharakan stunned the world by winning four gold medals at the IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships in Mongolia, capping a journey that began as a simple fitness routine at 53—with no intention of competing—and went on to earn her over 10 gold medals for India at national and international levels. Even a stroke couldn’t stop her. A grandmother and devoted mother, she balances her powerlifting triumphs with everyday joys like making jams and pickles, proving that true strength lies not only in perseverance and discipline but also in embracing life fully at every age.
Together, these twelve women embody the timeless truth that brilliance knows no age. Through art, activism, business, fashion, and sport, they have broken barriers and redefined possibilities, showing us that every stage of life holds new horizons to conquer. Their journeys remind us that inspiration isn’t measured in years, but in courage, creativity, and the refusal to stand still.
Image credits: Getty Images
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