Celebrity News

The gorgeous grannies

Grandmothers are often the epitome of style and elegance.
Celebrity grannies keeping up their gorgeous appearances.

Forget the blue rinse, wrinkled pantihose and sensible shoes – grandmothers are often the epitome of style and elegance.

We celebrate some of the world’s most glamorous nanas.

Princess Caroline, 58.

The eldest daughter of style icon Grace Kelly, Princess Caroline of Hanover is often viewed as the ‘European Queen of Chic’ – a tag she has not lost since first becoming a grandmother in March 2013, to son Andrea’s boy, Sacha. She had a second grandson in December of that year, when daughter Charlotte gave birth to her first child, Raphael. Inducted into Vanity Fair’s Hall of Fame for a style that “withstands the test of time”, Princess Caroline is known for her love of Chanel and close friendship with head designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Joanna Lumley, 69.

Actress and human rights activist Joanna Lumley was in her mid-50s when she became a grandmother – and is confident she is one of many shattering stereotypes about grannies. “In the past you hit 40, you got a perm, put on flat shoes and wore a roll-on [corset],” says the Absolutely Fabulous star, who “adores” being a nana to Alice, 12, and Emily, 10. Her secret to style is choosing “clothes that enhance you, reflect your personality and look charming from the front and back.”

Blythe Danner, 72.

To most people Blythe Danner is an actress best known for her work on Will and Grace and Meet the Parents – and for being Gwyneth Paltrow’s mum. But to her grandkids, the stylish screen star is simply ‘Lalo’, their name for the woman who happily gets on all fours to play hide and seek, loves being goofy, and who believes the children in her life are what keep her looking so young. “You feel like a child again yourself, just walking on air,” she says of being a grandparent to Apple, 10, Moses, nine, and son Jake’s daughter, two-year-old Whistler. “Being a grandmother is probably the most important thing to me.”

Diane Fürstenberg, 68.

Legendary designer Diane von Fürstenberg, who is known for her iconic wrap dress, has shown no signs of slowing down with her advancing years. A dedicated philanthropist and mum-of-two, who is continually evolving her DVF brand, she dotes on grandchildren Talita, 16, Antonia, 14, Tassilo, 13, and two-year-old Leon.

“In a sense I feel more beautiful than ever,” she says of her youthful outlook. “Because my life is full, my children and my grandchildren are my pride, and so is my body of work.”

Goldie Hawn, 69.

With her childlike exuberance and youthful looks it’s hard to believe silver screen veteran Goldie Hawn is a grandmother of five. The First Wives Club star has been dubbed ‘Go-Go’ by actress daughter Kate Hudson’s two boys, Ryder, 11, and three-year-old Bingham, as well as son Oliver’s brood: Wilder, seven, Bodhi, five, and one-year-old Roi. When it comes to her style, Goldie says, “I take chances all the time” – adding that she doesn’t see age as a reason to cover up her figure. “I don’t like high necks and I don’t like too much clothing – the less clothing I wear the happier I am!”

Susan Sarandon, 68.

Last year Susan Sarandon became a grandmother for the first time. Her daughter Eva’s tot Marlowe is now nine months old, and the Thelma and Louise star is loving every minute. “You’re the one who can spoil them – you’re the fun part, and then you give them back,” she says. Much lauded for her eclectic style, Susan says the secret to her look is being “comfortable, authentic and confident”. “There’s not something you can or cannot [wear] depending on your age,” she says.

Jade Jagger, 43.

Becoming a granny in her early 40s hasn’t been a big deal for former model Jade Jagger, daughter of rock icon Mick Jagger. Ironically, Jade was pregnant with her third child when her daughter Assisi, 22, gave her a grandchild, Ezra, now one. “I can’t help but have a sense of humour about it,” says the jewellery designer. “But becoming a grandmother doesn’t faze me or make me feel older.” She says she has refined her look over her years of parenting – and her line of work means jewellery forms an integral part of her style. “I think I’m quite playful no matter what,” she says.

Hillary Clinton, 67.

She’s known for her love of a good trouser suit, but America’s most famous grandmother has established an elegant mode of power-dressing over her years in politics. And as she juggles her role of doting nana to seven-month-old tot Charlotte with her bid to become the first female president of the US, Hillary Clinton’s practical but polished style will serve her well. “At some point [my appearance] is just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention,” says Hillary, who once lambasted an interviewer for asking who her favourite designer was, saying it was not a question a man would be asked (although Oscar de la Renta, Nina McLemore and Susanna Chung Forest would likely make the list).

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