REWRITING THE RULES

Reese Witherspoon's sunny outlook has carried over into her career and home life. This week, as she turns 50, she has a lot to celebrate

- HILARY MORGAN

She was the star of Legally Blonde and is now one of Hollywood's most powerful women. As Reese Witherspoon turns 50 this week, she's celebrating. “I was told that I wouldn't work past 40, but I have worked more in my forties than ever,” says the actress, producer, writer and businesswoman, “I’m having the time of my life.”

“I feel good. I feel happy,” she adds. “I feel so much more centred now. I used to be worried all of the time, now I’m just calm. There is some security that comes from being this age and knowing, 'OK, the world is not going to end.' The most important thing is that my family is safe, happy and healthy. I feel so lucky and grateful.”

The contrast between Reese’s life now and her early career is stark. “I have been in the movie business since I was 14 years old,” she says. “Even as I got older, I was still often the only female on set because there were so few parts for women.