Moral lessons from hell
The Japanese adventurer was 80 when he reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2013, becoming the oldest person to do so. This was actually the second time Miura did it, breaking his own record, set in 2003.
Australian dancer and choreographer Eileen Kramer starred in her own show, aged 100. As of 2024, aged 109, Kramer keeps herself busy by writing, painting, and of course, dancing.
In 2005, the Japanese athlete nicknamed "the Golden Bolt" became the fastest sprinter in the 100-meter dash, at age of 105.
In 2012, the German gymnast entered the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest active competitive gymnast at age 86.
Colonel Sanders didn't start the famous fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) until he was 65.
Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, took up painting when she was 76. She went on to have her work exhibited in prestigious places such as New York's Museum of Modern Art.
The accomplished economist and mathematician won the Nobel Prize in economics at age 90.
The British film editor had a long and successful career, with movies such as 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962) under her belt. Coates went on to co-edit 'Fifty Shades of Grey' at age 90.
At 87, the WWII Marine Corps veteran decided to ride his motorcycle for 10,000 miles (16,093 km) across the US.
British daredevil Tom Lackey is the world's oldest "wing-walker." Lackey was 93 when this photo was taken. In April 2022, he broke his own record at the age of 95, flying for over an hour across the Irish Sea.
After five attempts, in 2013, Nyad finally managed to successfully swim from Cuba to Florida, becoming the first person to do so without the aid of a shark cage. She was 64. Her incredible story was brought to the big screen in the 2023 biopic 'Nyad,' starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster.
The Canadian track and field athlete had over 30 world records, and won more than 750 gold medals in the 90-95 age category. Kotelko didn't take up track and field until she was 77.
Madonna Buder, also known as the Iron Nun, became the oldest person to compete in (and finish) an Ironman Triathlon, at age 82.
Jessica Tandy previously held the record for the oldest person to win an Oscar, at the age of 80. However, in 2010, the Canadian actor took the title. Plummer was 82 when he won his Oscar.
In 1962, John Glenn became the third American in space, and the first one to orbit the Earth. He returned to space in 1998, at age 77.
The American businessman was 52 when he acquired McDonald's and expanded it to become a global fast-food chain.
The famous French artist didn't have his first exhibition until he was 56.
The Founding Father of the United States helped draft the Declaration of Independence, which he signed when he was 70. Benjamin Franklin also helped write the Constitution, which he signed at age 80.
The "Father of American Scholarship and Education" took 28 years to complete his 'American Dictionary of the English Language.' Webster was 70 when the book was published.
The Swedish shooter became the oldest person to compete in the 1920 Summer Olympics. At 76, Swahn became the oldest medalist in Olympic history.
The Belarusian-French artist was the first living artist to have his work exhibited at the Louvre. Chagall was 79 at the time.
In 1852, Roget published the 'Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.' He was 73.
In July 1948, the American tightrope walker crossed over a canyon in Eldorado Springs in Colorado. He was 82.
The German historian who wrote 'A History of Rome' received The Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1902, when he was 85.
One of the greatest contributors to the Great American Songbook, Berlin didn't see his 1929 song 'Puttin' On the Ritz' hit the top 10 until he was 95. This was when Dutch musician Taco released a new version of the song in 1982.
The famous American TV chef got her first cooking show when she was 51.
Not only did Regan become President of the United States at the age of 69, but he actually just entered politics when he was 55. Up until then, Ronald Reagan was a successful actor.
The late British politician didn't pass his driving test until he was 95. Renton became the oldest person to pass a driving test in the UK.
In 2010, Burrill became the oldest female to complete a marathon, at age 92. It took her 9 hours, 53 minutes, and 16 seconds, to finish the Honolulu Marathon.
Teiichi Igarashi climbed Mt. Fuji every year, but only started this tradition when he was 89! In 1987, he became the first centenarian to do so.
Sources: (Mental Floss) (Ranker)
See more: The most popular hobby ideas for seniors
Ando invented instant noodles and he is the man behind the brands Top Ramen and Cup Noodles. He invented the innovative food product in 1971, at the age of 61.
We all grow old, and there is nothing we can do about that. What we can do though, is to make the most out of our lives while we're still here. And when it comes to accomplishing great things, age is just a number. In this gallery, we bring you examples of many people who prove this. These are people who have set world records and created amazing things in the later stages of their lives.
Click on and be inspired by their stories!
People who accomplished great things later in life
These famous figures prove that age is just a number
LIFESTYLE Inspiration
We all grow old, and there is nothing we can do about that. What we can do though, is to make the most out of our lives while we're still here. And when it comes to accomplishing great things, age is just a number. In this gallery, we bring you examples of many people who prove this. These are people who have set world records and created amazing things in the later stages of their lives.
Click on and be inspired by their stories!