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It's never too late to start. You've likely heard this saying before—whether it was your mother urging you to finish your schoolwork before bed or someone diving into a midlife crisis by looking for a motorcycle to enhance their cool factor. In a society that pushes us to achieve success at younger and younger ages, it's sometimes necessary to pause, take a deep breath, and reflect on where you are in life. Remind yourself that it’s not over until it truly is.
Thanks to medical progress, we're living longer lives than our ancestors ever did. Whether you dream of being the first person to step foot on Mars or the first person to swim from Miami to London, it’s never too late to start. Here are 10 people who accomplished incredible feats after the age of ninety.
10. Mathea Allensmith – The Runner
If you're contemplating New Year's resolutions, thinking about quitting smoking, or wondering if you're too old to run a marathon, rest assured that there’s likely more time for you than you realize.
In December 2022, Mathea Allensmith, a retired ophthalmologist from Hawaii, set the record as the oldest person to finish a marathon at the age of 92 years, 6 months, and 11 days. She surpassed the previous record-holder, Harriet Thompson, by several months.
It’s no surprise that her training routine is incredibly demanding, running six days a week and covering a total of 36 miles (58 kilometers), even while on vacation. No one said it would be easy, but Mathea demonstrated that it was possible.
9. Anna Mary Robertson Moses – The Artist
When can one say they've truly 'made it' as a painter? Is it when you sell your first piece? When your mother endlessly shares your work on social media? When people start discussing your art in coffee shops and galleries? Or when presidents offer their praise?
Perhaps President Harry S. Truman playing the piano or Nelson Rockefeller stating that there is “no more renowned artist in our entire country today” could be seen as a success story. What’s even more remarkable is that Anna accomplished all of this well into her nineties and beyond the century mark.
Better known worldwide as Grandma Moses, it took her 78 years to fully embrace the art of painting, learning it from the ground up and dedicating herself to mastering the craft. She produced thousands of paintings, which sold for significant amounts.
8. Doris Haddock – The Walker
Doris Haddock technically embarked on her journey at the age of 89, but it wasn’t until she reached her 90s that she truly began pursuing her dream with determination.
A passionate advocate for finance reform, Granny D, as she was fondly called, took on a 14-month journey across the U.S., from Pasadena to Washington, to raise awareness for her cause. After an arduous trek, she finally reached her destination, having covered more than 3,200 miles (5,149 kilometers), and was greeted by a hero’s welcome from over 2,200 people. A few Congress members even joined her for the final stretch of her journey.
Her stunt succeeded, attracting positive media attention, which helped propel her political ambitions and even allowed her to write a few books. She made her voice heard until the age of 100, continuing her influence until her passing.
7. Nola Ochs – The Graduate
Not everyone has the chance to further expand their academic knowledge. Education is often hailed as a valuable asset in one’s professional life, but for some, it remains out of reach.
For Nola Ochs, this dream became a reality after years of family responsibilities kept her occupied. At 95, she graduated from college and continued her studies with unwavering dedication into her 100s. When she earned her first degree, a general studies degree with a history focus from Fort Hays State University, she was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest college graduate in the world. But she didn’t stop there.
Nola went on to earn a master's degree in liberal studies at the age of 98, proving that it’s never too late to pursue education.
6. Leonid Hurwicz – Nobel Prize Laureate
A powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, opportunity exists, Leonid Hurwicz reached the peak of his success only in the final years of his life.
Born in Moscow in 1919, Hurwicz was forced to travel across Europe as Nazi Germany rose to power before settling in Chicago in 1940. It wasn’t until 20 years later that Leonid, a law graduate, began his pioneering work, which ultimately earned him a Nobel Prize.
Leonid also developed the 'walking subcacus' method, a system designed to safeguard minority rights through a proportional voting method still utilized in Democratic precinct caucuses. Even more remarkable, he received his Nobel Prize in 2007 for his formulation of mechanism design theory, which secured his place in history. He was 90 years old.
5. George and Doreen Kirby – The Newlyweds
Have you lost hope of ever experiencing love? Does it feel like you're meant to live your life without ever finding the one? Whether or not you believe in the concept of a soulmate, perhaps all you need is a bit of luck and the belief that it’s never too late.
George and Doreen Kirby, aged 104 and 91 respectively, are the perfect testament to what can happen if you never give up on love, no matter how late in life it might seem. After being together for over 27 years, the couple got engaged on Valentine’s Day, the most romantic day of the year (commercially speaking), even though George can no longer kneel to propose.
They were confirmed as the oldest couple to ever marry, and on the very day their record was officially acknowledged, one of their grandchildren welcomed a baby boy, proudly named after his record-breaking great-grandfather.
4. Jerome Defraitus – The Skateboarder
As young dreamers, we all had aspirations of being the best at something – winning the championship, taking the gold, going pro. For most, being paid to do what you love remains just a dream, and skateboarding is no exception. If you’re not Rodney Mullen by 20, why keep going?
Jerome Defraitus completely redefined the idea of 'too late to go pro.' After turning professional in 1931, he became the oldest professional skateboarder in the world, continuing to skate well into his 90s and earning a legendary status in the sport.
Like many athletes, Jerome believed he was among the best in the world when he was younger. Perhaps it’s fairer to say that after the age of 90, he became the undisputed champion of his age group.
3. Phyllis Sues – The Fitness Instructor
As we approach the time of year when we reflect on our New Year’s resolutions, whether or not you believe in them, a healthy and balanced exercise routine is something we should all strive for. Sometimes, though, we need a bit of inspiration. Phyllis Sues was that inspiration.
Well into her nineties, Phyllis amazed the world with her fitness and ability to perform splits, keeping her body in better shape than most, branching out into yoga and fitness instruction, and even producing a series of instructional videos.
Phyllis didn’t stop there. She also ran her own business and authored a book titled *20 Tips to Change Your Life* before passing away at the age of 98. She proved that none of us have an excuse for not living our best lives.
2. Dorothy Hoffner – The Skydiver
While we were still debating whether we could ever summon the courage to try skydiving, Dorothy Hoffner was busy breaking the previous record held by Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson (aged 103), becoming the oldest person to skydive at 104.
Dorothy took a leap from 13,500 feet (4,114 meters), fulfilling a lifelong dream without even informing her family. Though Dorothy passed away before her record was confirmed, it’s clear her motive wasn’t for fame or recognition, as she was upset by the attention her stunt garnered.
Dorothy’s commitment to living life to the fullest, even in the final week of her life, demonstrates that you’re never too old to jump from a plane or face any fear that comes your way.
1. Gloria Tramontin Struck – The Biker
There are times in life when we just want to escape. Hop on a bike, feel the wind in our hair, and ride off into the horizon, leaving behind the weight of our worries as the engine roars.
Gloria’s love for motorcycles began at the age of 16, and for over 75 years, she has been racing down the roads on various bikes, clocking more than 700,000 miles (1.12 million kilometers) along the way.
Dubbed the Grand Dame of motorcycling, Gloria has earned legendary status. She’s witnessed the evolution of the biking world before and after WW2, during which motorcycles surged in popularity in the 1950s. Now, Gloria is setting her sights on a cross-country ride once she turns 100, and nothing seems likely to stop her.
