Famous figures who accomplished great things at 80 and beyond

At the age of 87, Pablo Picasso created a remarkable series of engravings known as the "347 Series." This series is notable not only for the sheer number of works produced but also for the quality and innovation displayed within them. Despite his advanced age, Picasso continued to experiment with different techniques and themes, pushing the boundaries of art even further.

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Yuichiro Miura -

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.

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Wang Deshun -

A Chinese actor and model, Deshun gained international fame for his remarkable physique during a runway appearance at China Fashion Week in 2015. He was 79 at the time and earned the nickname "China's Hottest Grandpa."

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Eileen Kramer -

Australian dancer and choreographer Eileen Kramer starred in her own show at the age of 100. As of 2024, aged 109, Kramer keeps herself busy by writing, painting, and of course, dancing.

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Tony Bennett -

During his seven-decade career, Bennett earned an incredible 20 Grammys, in addition to numerous other awards, honors, and accolades. He became one of America's great crooners, and continued to perform into his eighties and nineties. In fact, he won his 20th Grammy in 2022 when he was 95 years old!

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Grandma Moses -

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, took up painting when she was 76. Her public debut at the Galerie St. Etienne was in October 1940, shortly after her 80th birthday. She went on to have her work exhibited in prestigious places such as New York's Museum of Modern Art.

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Johanna Quaas -

In 2012, the German gymnast entered the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest active competitive gymnast at age 86.

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Leonid Hurwicz -

The accomplished economist and mathematician won the Nobel Prize in economics at age 90.

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Olga Kotelko -

The Canadian track and field athlete earned 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.

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Anne V. Coates -

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' (2015) at age 90.

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Tom Lackey -

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.

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Madonna Buder -

Madonna Buder, also known as the Iron Nun, became the oldest person to compete in (and finish) an Ironman Triathlon, at age 82.

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E. Bruce Heilman -

At 87, the WWII Marine Corps veteran decided to ride his motorcycle for 10,000 miles (16,093 km) across the US.

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Christopher Plummer -

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.

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Marc Chagall -

The Belarusian-French artist was the first living artist to have his work exhibited at the Louvre. Chagall was 79 at the time.

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William Ivy Baldwin -

In July 1948, the American tightrope walker crossed over a canyon in Eldorado Springs in Colorado. He was 82.

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Theodor Mommsen -

The German historian who wrote 'A History of Rome' received the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1902, when he was 85.

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Joe Biden -

Joe Biden is not the oldest US president elected (he was 78 at his inauguration), but he is now the only American leader to have turned 80 while in office.

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Hidekichi Miyazaki -

In 2005, the Japanese athlete nicknamed "the Golden Bolt" became the fastest centenarian sprinter in the 100-meter dash, at the age of 105. He took up running as a hobby when he was 90!

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David Renton -

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.

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Irving Berlin -

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.

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Michelangelo -

The Italian Renaissance artist completed some of his most famous works, including the design for St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, in his 80s.

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Clint Eastwood -

Clint Eastwood has had an extensive and successful career as an actor, producer, and director. While in his 80's, Eastwood was very much active. He was even nominated as Best Director in the Academy for his work in 'American Sniper.' The movie was released in 2014, when Eastwood was 84 years old. He's now in his '90s and still going strong!

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Queen Elizabeth II -

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She continued to fulfill her royal duties and make significant contributions well into her 90s.

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Betty White -

The beloved American actress and comedian continued to entertain audiences well into her 80s and 90s, becoming a cultural icon and the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live at the age of 88.

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Mathea Allansmith -

In December 2022, 92-year-old Mathea Allansmith (not pictured) became the oldest woman to ever complete a marathon. It took her 11 hours, 19 minutes, and 49 seconds to finish the Honolulu Marathon.

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Teiichi Igarashi -

Teiichi Igarashi started the personal tradition of climbing Mt. Fuji every year when he was 89 years old! In 1987, he became the first centenarian to do so.

Sources: (Mental Floss) (Ranker)

See more: The most popular hobby ideas for seniors

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Pablo Picasso -

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Yuichiro Miura -

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Wang Deshun -

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Eileen Kramer -

Australian dancer and choreographer Eileen Kramer starred in her own show at the age of 100. As of 2024, aged 109, Kramer keeps herself busy by writing, painting, and of course, dancing.

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Tony Bennett -

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Grandma Moses -

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Johanna Quaas -

In 2012, the German gymnast entered the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest active competitive gymnast at age 86.

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Leonid Hurwicz -

The accomplished economist and mathematician won the Nobel Prize in economics at age 90.

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Olga Kotelko -

The Canadian track and field athlete earned 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.

Getty Images

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Anne V. Coates -

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' (2015) at age 90.

Getty Images

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Tom Lackey -

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Madonna Buder -

Madonna Buder, also known as the Iron Nun, became the oldest person to compete in (and finish) an Ironman Triathlon, at age 82.

Getty Images

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E. Bruce Heilman -

At 87, the WWII Marine Corps veteran decided to ride his motorcycle for 10,000 miles (16,093 km) across the US.

Getty Images

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Christopher Plummer -

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.

Getty Images

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Marc Chagall -

The Belarusian-French artist was the first living artist to have his work exhibited at the Louvre. Chagall was 79 at the time.

Getty Images

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William Ivy Baldwin -

In July 1948, the American tightrope walker crossed over a canyon in Eldorado Springs in Colorado. He was 82.

Getty Images

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Theodor Mommsen -

The German historian who wrote 'A History of Rome' received the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature in 1902, when he was 85.

Getty Images

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Joe Biden -

Joe Biden is not the oldest US president elected (he was 78 at his inauguration), but he is now the only American leader to have turned 80 while in office.

Getty Images

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Hidekichi Miyazaki -

In 2005, the Japanese athlete nicknamed "the Golden Bolt" became the fastest centenarian sprinter in the 100-meter dash, at the age of 105. He took up running as a hobby when he was 90!

Getty Images

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David Renton -

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.

Getty Images

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Irving Berlin -

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Michelangelo -

The Italian Renaissance artist completed some of his most famous works, including the design for St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, in his 80s.

Getty Images

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Clint Eastwood -

Getty Images

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Queen Elizabeth II -

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She continued to fulfill her royal duties and make significant contributions well into her 90s.

Getty Images

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Betty White -

The beloved American actress and comedian continued to entertain audiences well into her 80s and 90s, becoming a cultural icon and the oldest person to host Saturday Night Live at the age of 88.

Getty Images

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Mathea Allansmith -

In December 2022, 92-year-old Mathea Allansmith (not pictured) became the oldest woman to ever complete a marathon. It took her 11 hours, 19 minutes, and 49 seconds to finish the Honolulu Marathon.

Getty Images

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Teiichi Igarashi -

Teiichi Igarashi started the personal tradition of climbing Mt. Fuji every year when he was 89 years old! In 1987, he became the first centenarian to do so.

Sources: (Mental Floss) (Ranker)

See more: The most popular hobby ideas for seniors

Getty Images

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Famous figures who accomplished great things at 80 and beyond

For some, age is just a number

12/11/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Inspiration

Ed Dwight was the first African-American astronaut to be selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Despite making history as the first Black astronaut during the Space Race, he was never chosen for a space mission. However, at 90 years of age, Dwight entered space for the first time on May 19, 2024. He was invited to join Blue Origin's seventh human space flight aboard the New Shepard spacecraft. Blue Origin shared footage from the flight that showed Dwight giggling with joy and awe as he took in the sights on the 10-minute journey outside the Earth's atmosphere. He called it a "life-changing experience," according to AP. “I thought I really didn’t need this in my life,” he explained. ”But, now, I need it in my life .... I am ecstatic.”

We all grow old, and there's nothing we can do about it. What we can do, however, is 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.

Click on to meet these outstanding octogenarians, nonagenarians, and even centenarians!