‘Turning 50 is not the closing of a chapter, it’s the opening of a new one’

Actress Emilia Fox explains why she’s ‘full of energy and possibility’ and plans for the second half of her life

- WORDS: LISA SALMON, IMAGE: MY PENSION EXPERT/PA

Emilia Fox saw turning 50 as a significant milestone in her life — but not a scary one. The actress, who’s starred in the crime drama Silent Witness for 21 years, is as busy with work as ever. She is happily ‘sandwiched’ between a teenage daughter and ageing parents, yet is full of energy and says she’s looking forward to the next half of her life.

‘Do you know what’s lovely about turning 50?’ she asks. ‘It’s seen in a very different way to what it was, and people are really recognising that it’s a time when we still want to be busy — we have the choice.

‘I think people do see 50 as a significant milestone in life — my goodness, we’re lucky if we get to 50 and feel healthy and fit and well. I think 50 is a great time to reflect on what’s happened in the first half of your life and what you’d like the second half to look like — I remember really thinking about that on my 50th birthday.

‘Turning 50 is not like the closing of a chapter, it’s the opening of a new one, which is full of energy and possibility, and I think that’s a really positive message.’