Look Who Found Success After 40
- Alan Rickman
Known for his portrayal of Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, it’s hard to believe Alan Rickman’s film acting career started out when he was already 42.
It was in his late twenties when he decided to take his passion for theater seriously by auditioning with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). By leaving his graphic design business, he concentrated on the acting craft full-time.

By https://flic.kr/p/wLyTw.
- Harland Sanders
The story behind Kentucky Fried Chicken is by all means inspiring. Colonel Harland Sanders didn’t have it easy in life. After his father died, he dropped out of school to support his younger siblings by taking odd jobs. He worked as a farmer, a fireman, an insurance salesman, and a streetcar conductor, to name a few.

By Edgy01 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29484703.
He was 40 when he opened a service station in Kentucky state, where he also served food to earn extra. Later, he moved to a restaurant across the street, serving his signature original fried chicken. The recipe was such a success that he was named an honorary colonel at 45. But despite the chicken’s popularity, business dried up when a highway was built in the city, redirecting foot traffic away from his restaurant.
At age 62, he closed his restaurant. But that didnβt bring him down, he took all of his savings and pension and opened a franchise for his fried chicken business because he was so confident it would sell. He traveled across the country, cooking batches of chicken, striking deals with restaurants that would pay him a nickel for every chicken bought by customers. In 10 years, with 600 franchised outlets across US and Canada, he sold his interest in the company to a group of investors for $2 million dollars.
Β
- Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart rose to stardom after authoring her first book, Entertaining, at 41. By that time she has trained herselfΒ in gourmet cooking, having been influenced by Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She became known for her recipes and creative food presentation.

By David Shankbone – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15049241.
Seven years later, Martha Stewart Living was launched, and she was later named as America’s first self-made female billionaire. Unfortunately, she took a fall when she was sentenced to prison for conspiring in the ImClone stock case. Shortly after her release, she made a comeback. She was welcomed well, and to this day remains as one of the most famous lifestyle icons.
- Julia Child
Born in California to a real estate investor and a paper company heiress, Julia Child lived a significantly privileged childhood. As a young adult, she wanted to become a writer and enjoyed doing short plays. She also regularly submitted manuscripts to a magazine publication but none of her works were published.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kaitlinmarie/5570275488.
After they wed, Julia and her husband moved to France where she became interested in French cuisine. She enrolled in a culinary school and later on collaborated on a cookbook with two of her schoolmates. It was called Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and it wasn’t published until she was 50. That’s when her career as a celebrity chef was launched.
- Nola Ochs
Nola Ochs landed the Guinness Book of World Records for becoming the oldest person to ever graduate from college. At 95, she earned a degree in General Studies major in History at Fort Hays State University in Kansas in 2007. She even graduated alongside her granddaughter, who was 21 years old at that time.

From http://alchetron.com/Nola-Ochs-297343-W.
At first. many were skeptical that she would be able to graduate. The history department chairman worried whether she could keep up with the other students. He was proven wrong.
After all, born in 1911, Nola has literally witnessed history after having lived through the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and World War II. Can’t get any closer to history than that!
So you see, it doesn’t matter how old you are or what your background is. Success doesn’t discriminate against age and these nine people just prove you’re never too old to achieve your dreams. Hope you’re inspired and fueled to take on new things, and will persevere with what you have!
– Yan Birog for Grateful and Spry
It’s never too late learn and push through your dreams. There’s always hope and all you need is to work hard and never stop.
100% true, Jean. If there’s one other thing we can learn from these 9 examples, it’s their patience.
Age is indeed just a number. While my friends are batchmates are off getting married, having kids, and going frantic in their careers, here I am enjoying the ride and still waiting for my big opening Do I feel jealous? No, although sometimes I question why I’m still not there. But, but, but, most often, I just sit, and enjoy the ride.
I get ya, Mirriam. After all, nobody can ever say Success comes easy. It’s a different struggle for each folk. For some, the opportunity comes early. For others, it could be later. And as you said, we sometimes just have to sit and enjoy the ride.
There’s never too late when we talk about success. You just have to get your ass off and work yourself on the way up.
:-)) Well said, Theresa.
I don’t believe that a family and children, a steady job and an everyday routine means having a successful life. I do believe that every person needs to look for their own success, which is whatever makes them happy. Some people want a family, some people want a successful career, some people wish for fame. They are all looking for their own success. π
I got a lightbulb moment after reading your comment, Joanna. I just realized that the point you made could be a perfect theme for another blog article! π Ya go, gurl.
Inspiring people! I never get into the number of my age. I’ll keep my hopes and motivation high. I love your article.
Back at you, Princess Mikee. π π π
I still have a couple of years before I reach 40, keeping my fingers crossed to a much awaited success. woot woot :0
I like the spirit, Karen! To success!
The determination from these people have not faded even if time were there enemies. A good read. I hope I can improve my courage and determination such as these great people.
You will, Erwin, you will. All the best. π
Truly admirable! They are an inspiration for us who haven’t been reached 40. You’\\ never know you will be just like them π
Sometimes, if your will is strong enough, you can achieve far beyond what you think you’re capable of.
Thank you for your article. It calmed by nerves. Well I’m only in my early twenties but I can feel the pressure already to achieve a lot of things. Your post made me relax and just calm down and enjoy life.
The fact that you’re driven is a good thing, Charm. But yes, sometimes, it won’t hurt to take a breather once in a while.
It is never too late to pursue and achieve my dreams. I’ll be motivated to achieve success.
All the best, Dorothy. Just keep your eyes on the prize!
Of course, it’s never too late to chase your dreams!! π Thanks much for the inspirational post!! π
You’re welcome, Saswati!
There is a time for every season and for every small goals you hit you get stronger and wiser that in time will enable to hit your big goals. π There is no secret to overnight success – it’s plain passion, purpose and massive amount of hard work. I enjoy every season of my life that God gave me, knowing and believing in full confidence that He has prepared me for victory. ^_^ Thank you for such an inspiring article! I am just 25 years-old and makes me realize that I am far too young and have far too many opportunities in ahead of me to give up and lose hope. π Continue to inspire others!
You made a very good point in encouraging the late bloomers. Indeed social media created a new rat race- out bragging each other, to the point of deception.
Thanks, Sonnie.Yes, one can attain instant success via social media even if one does not really have a unique talent. That’s just one way of looking at success. We think that most ordinary folks, though, don’t give a hoot about succeeding in the social media realm.