SUDDENLY SIXTY

Brooke Shields reflects on her milestone birthday, her newfound confidence and why this is a 'beautiful' and 'exciting' time in her life

- INTERVIEW: KATIE ELLIS

It's going to be a “big, year-long 60th birthday celebration”! Weeks before marking her May 31 milestone with a getaway to an island paradise, Brooke Shields was already embracing her new era, declaring she'll spend 2025 “doing things I’ve never done before and have always wanted to do.”

The veteran actress and mom of two is revelling in this chapter - perhaps more than she’s ever done before. Finally, “I’m the one making the calls in my life - not my mother or the media or Hollywood or my family,” she writes in her latest book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman. “This is a new time. The same rules don’t apply.”

Unusually in such an appearance-conscious industry, Brooke has allowed herself to age gracefully, defying public expectation that she remain frozen in time. “I’ve never felt better or more confident than I do [now],” she reflected upon the book’s release. “I hope these words make you feel empowered, seen, and hopeful. Here’s to getting old!”

The New York City native - who started modelling at just 11 months old and was cast in adult-themed films Pretty Baby and The Blue Lagoon at ages 12 and 14, respectively - has always had a grounded approach to fame, with a refreshing perspective on her legendary looks. “I think it started at university,” she told the BBC of her outlook. “I knew that I had to find value beyond the surface and looks and beauty.”

A testament to her popularity, 18-year-old Brooke walks away with the Favorite Young Motion Picture Performer trophy at 1984’s People’s Choice Awards (above). ‘I’ve been away from films for almost three years now,’ the actress said from the podium, referring to her university studies. ‘And I want to thank everybody for not forgetting about me.’