It Seems Like Only “Yesterday”*

Sally Ann Schmitz, of Paso Robles, CA, was born at 12:23 AM on January 1, 1965, reportedly making her the first baby of the new year in San Luis Obispo County, located about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you’re out there,
Sally Ann, welcome to
FabOverFifty.

Welcome also to: Viola Davis, Diane Lane, Maura Tierney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brooke Shields, Melissa McBride and J.K. Rowling, among the celebs who made their real debuts in 1965.

Twenty-five other notable, and not so
notable, events of that year:

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Win Tickets to 50 Shades! The Musical in NYC

Whether you’re a 50 Shades of Grey fanatic or you couldn’t get through the first 10 pages…

You’ll enjoy 50 Shades! The Musical – The Original Parody, now playing Off-Broadway at the Elektra Theatre in New York City.

Be prepared for a bit of raunch, and a lot of skin (no nudity, however)! The story starts with Carol, Pam, and Bev deciding the next selection for their book club. When they choose 50 Shades of Grey, the fun (or should we say, fantasy) begins. Clever lyrics, lively dancing and a cavorting cast of real characters, from virginal college student, Anastasia, to illustrious businessman, Christian Grey (this one has a paunch to go with the raunch).

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The 18 Most Irritating Men Over 50

Enough with these guys. They may be rich, successful, good-looking, talented, or even smart, but it’s time they change their acts or take lengthy sabbaticals.

1. Alec Baldwin

You’re just a blowhard, through and through.

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15 Habits of Women Over 50

Count the number of these habits you possess and see what your score says about you, below!

1. Taking sneak peeks at your neck
in the mirror

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{Giveaway} Tickets To An Unforgettable Musical

Attention New Yorkers and all theatre fans who will be in New York before April 6. Check out our interview with Ruthe Ponturo, a divorcée who turned her break-up saga (and the sagas of many other women) into a true production—the clever new musical, Til Divorce Do Us Part.

FabOverFifty is giving away two pairs of tickets ($150 value) to Divorce, playing at the DR2 Theater in New York City. “The music and lyrics are delightful, the stage sets are colorful and creative, and the three women leads are captivating. I enjoyed every moment,” said Geri Brin, FOF founder.

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{FOF Woman of The Week} Helen Mirren

FOF names Helen Mirren, 68, the Most Fabulous Woman Over 50!

We started with 64 incredible FOF women, from four categories—acting, singing, writing and the political arena—and asked all of you, over a period of weeks, to vote on your favorites. Helen Mirren and Tina Turner were the last two women standing. Although Tina made it to the end, Helen triumphed with over 75 percent of the final vote. So this week, we’re paying tribute to the Dame and Oscar-winning actress, who’s been blessing the world with her talents for nearly 50 years.

Helen began her acting career as a teenager in school productions and got her big break at age 20, when she was cast as Cleopatra in a production of Antony and Cleopatra at The Old Vic Theater in London. During the last 48 years, she’s brilliantly acted on stage, in the movies and on TV and has won 88 awards and 66 nominations. The only actress ever to play both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II on screen, she took home awards for both roles.

Besides her acting, Helen is known for her impeccable style and was named one of the 50 best-dressed women over 50 in 2013 by the British newspaper, The Guardian. She’s also one of the models for Marks & Spencer’s Womanism campaign. Known to push style boundaries every now and again, Helen once dyed her hair pink after admiring pink tresses on a cast member of America’s Next Top Model.

Queen Elizabeth II, in 2013, named Helen Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, to recognize the actor’s contributions to the world of performing arts.

Married to American director, Taylor Hackford, since 1997, Helen lived with actor Liam Neeson in the 1980s. She’s never had children and once told an interviewer she doesn’t have “motherly instincts.”

Dame Helen, we all adore you.

[Read: {FOF Woman of The Week} Jan Brewer]

An Exhilarating Way to Cope With Divorce

Divorce can get downright ugly. While many women might find the surprise ending of a 34-year marriage utterly depressing, Ruthe Ponturo, 64, decided to take her divorce to a whole new level. After her husband left for another woman, Ruthe created her own version of break-up therapy by turning the saga (and the sagas of many other women) into a true production. Her Off-Broadway show, Til Divorce Do Us Part, premiered this month.

When did you get interested in theater?

I studied dance and choreography in high school and have been involved in theatre production since then. I also earned a master’s degree in theater from the University of Arizona. Before my ex-husband, Tony [Ponturo], and I moved to New York, we lived in St. Louis, where I taught at Parkway Central High School and choreographed the show choirs, (long before Glee made it hip)! Working in the school’s Grammy-winning music department, I was surrounded by incredible musicians all the time.

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10 Things To Stop Complaining About

1. The Weather

It snows in the winter, and it’s hot in the summer. Is either really a surprise?

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{FOF Woman of The Week} Geena Davis

Few of us have a resumé that reads: “Oscar-winning actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and Olympic archery team semi-finalist.” Except if you’re Geena Davis. Modeling and acting since 1982, 58-year-old Geena has received countless awards for her work on screen and accomplished a great deal of impactful work off screen. Intensely interested in the subject of gender bias, she chairs The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and also works with other visionaries and activists to improve the lives of women around the world.

Speaking at a conference last week, Geena asked the audience: “What if unconscious gender bias is a much deeper problem than we’ve ever imagined?” She pointed out that the ratio of female to male characters in TV and film hasn’t changed since 1946, and that men hold for 81 percent of the roles on TV. She is intent on reversing these shocking statistics.

Next month, Geena will serve on the jury of the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

Married since 2001 to Reza Jarrahy, a plastic surgeon, Geena and her husband have three children. One of the shining examples of a woman who can channel her vast talents and passions into a range of relevant projects and compelling performances, Geena is FOF Woman of the Week!

[Read: {FOF Woman of The Week} Shirley Temple]

{FOFantasy Bracket} Finals

Two FOF stars of politics and literature, Hillary Clinton and Nora Roberts, lost to stars of another kind, Helen Mirren and Tina Turner, in the Final 4. Hillary suffered a major upset in her nail-biter with Tina, losing by just 6 votes—99 to 105—while Helen crushed Nora without breaking a sweat. So it’s down to Helen v. Tina. Who will win the title of The Most Fabulous Woman Over 50?!

View results below!

Modeled after the popular March Madness contest in basketball, the FOFantasy Competition kicked off several weeks ago with 64 women from four categories: acting, singing, writing, and the political arena, whom we called “influencers.” Now we’re down to the final two! Before you cast your vote, listen to Tina belting out The Best and remember Helen as The Queen.

It’s a friendly competition, but only one of them will win. Make sure to return next week to see who it is!

Click the image below to enlarge.

  • Helen Mirren (76%, 51 Votes)
  • Tina Turner (24%, 16 Votes)

Total Voters: 67

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