3 extraordinary seniors who achieved success later in life
Leigh Marcos is a mother of two who is passionate about the environment.
When most people think of senior citizens, they probably envisage people who are content to sit back and relax during their golden years. Unfortunately, by the time people are middle-aged, many of them are on cruise control. For one reason or another, people are afraid to step out of their comfort zone, take a chance, and chase after success during the latter part of their life.
But it doesn’t have to be like that. There are countless examples of people who found great success later in life. No matter your passion in life, it’s never too late to do something that will make you feel happy and fulfilled. Here are just a few of the ways you can discover success during the latter half of your life.
1. Business
Have you ever eaten at a Kentucky Fried Chicken? Well, believe it or not, that restaurant chain wouldn’t exist if a man in his 60s hadn’t shown great courage and perseverance throughout his life. KFC founder Harland David Sanders (aka the Colonel) had countless jobs in his life, and none of them seemed to stick.
During his golden years, he was struggling financially and working at a service station that ended up burning down. From the ashes of that service station, he built a hotel and restaurant with help from a rather tasty chicken recipe. He found success with it and franchised KFC when he was 62 years old, proving that you don’t have to be young to come up with the next big thing, just determined.
2. Entertainment
Perhaps you had a talent for acting, singing, or writing in your younger days but never had the chance to pursue it. Well, it’s not too late to chase your Hollywood dream. There are so many celebrities that we all know and love who never got their break until the middle of their life, if not later, and so it’s not impossible to think you can do the same.
Samuel L. Jackson, for example, didn’t get his breakout role in Pulp Fiction until age 46. That’s the same age the legendary Rodney Dangerfield got his break on the Ed Sullivan Show. The iconic Julia Child didn’t make her first television appearance until age 51. Finally, Christoph Waltz was 53 before American movie audiences knew his name, and now he has two Oscars.
3. Education
Even if your idea of success is as simple as getting a college degree, it’s never too late to do it. Take it from Amy Craton, who got her college degree with a 4.0 GPA at the age of 94. Of course, she’s just one of many seniors who has pursued higher education. With online courses, it’s easier than ever to strive for academic success in your golden years. You don’t have to be the next Einstein, you just have to be willing.