In a world where early retirement often seems like the ultimate goal, there are those rare individuals who defy this norm by continuing to work passionately well into their later years. One such remarkable individual is Carmen Dell’Orefice, 93, celebrated as the world’s oldest working model. Let’s dive into her extraordinary journey and the lessons we can learn from her enduring career.
From humbling beginning to Vogue fame.
Carmen Dell’Orefice’s story began when she was discovered at the tender age of 13, in 1944. It’s hard to believe that such a fashion icon could come from such humble beginnings. Growing up, her family faced significant financial struggles. Modeling was just a glimmer of hope in a rather challenging upbringing.
Her first attempt at fashion was far from glamorous. In fact, it was an epic flop. But, as they say, the road to success is often paved with failures.
Just two years after her initial setback, Carmen graced the cover of Vogue at the age of 15. This was a monumental moment, marking the beginning of a legendary career in the fashion industry.
In 2023, Carmen was featured on the cover of Vogue Czechoslovakia, making her the oldest working model in the world. Her timeless beauty and elegance continue to captivate audiences globally.
She faced life’s hurdles, from financial struggles to failed marriages.
Carmen’s early life was fraught with financial difficulties. Her modeling work barely supported her family, so she and her mother also worked as seamstresses to make ends meet. This challenging period taught her resilience and perseverance.
1Her marriage to Bill Miles in the early 1950s added another layer of hardship. Miles exploited her career, collecting her modeling agency checks and giving her a mere $50 from her earnings. Yet, Carmen remained steadfast and continued to rise above these challenges.
Carmen then chose to marry photographer Richard Heimann. However, their marriage was also short-lived. When Carmen stepped away from the modeling industry in 1958, Richard left her.
Facing financial difficulties, Carmen Dell’Orefice made a bold comeback to modeling in 1978. Within just a few years, she was back on the covers of top fashion magazines, showcasing her timeless elegance. Ever since, she has been tirelessly working, featuring in numerous magazines, spearheading advertising campaigns, and strutting down catwalks for prestigious fashion brands.
She shared her secret to timeless beauty and longevity.
One of Carmen’s profound insights into maintaining beauty and longevity is the importance of self-care and self-love. She once said, “Men and women should care for themselves and love themselves. One of the secrets to maintaining beauty is doing what you do for a baby, nurturing and feeding the baby with love. That’s what we should do with ourselves: nurture ourselves, love ourselves, and give that kind of energy to ourselves.”
Carmen embraces aging with grace and dignity. She has never shied away from her age. Instead, she has used it to her advantage, proving that beauty truly knows no age.
Carmen’s unwavering passion for modeling teaches us that retirement is not an obligation but a choice. If you love what you do, there’s no reason to stop, no matter how old you are. Her life is a testament to resilience. Despite numerous challenges, she has continued to thrive, proving that with determination, one can overcome any obstacle.
Another inspiring supermodel is Daphne Selfe, 96, who still makes waves in the fashion industry and hasn’t given any sign of stopping yet. Read her story here.
A Woman “Married” to a Ragdoll Gives Birth to Twins, Shares Pregnancy Story
A woman, 39, tied the knot with her ideal husband, who happens to be a ragdoll. They had a grand wedding. The couple is now parents to twin babies and are overjoyed. The woman is sharing how her life has been transformed since becoming a mother and how her unique family is doing.
An unusual marriage.
Meirivone Rocha Moraes had given up on finding a faithful and honest partner. Her unsuccessful search disheartened her. After hearing her daughter’s woes, Meirivone’s mother decided to step in.
She crafted a life-sized ragdoll named “Marcelo” for Meirivone. Surprisingly, Meirivone fell in love with Marcelo. They exchanged vows in a charming ceremony, both looking their finest.
They were happy to expand their family.
A year after welcoming their son Marcelinho, the family with a unique story shared the news of expecting another child. Meirivone and her ragdoll husband, Marcelo, embrace the unexpected joys of their life together.
They threw a vibrant gender reveal party among loved ones, where a burst of pink smoke on social media signaled the anticipated arrival of their daughter, Marcela. However, it turned out that Meirivone was blessed with twins.
They both make efforts to raise the children.
In the home of Meirivone and Marcelo, everyone contributes to the family, even the ragdoll father and the toy children. The arrival of the twins has brought twice the activity and emotions. Marcelo, despite being a ragdoll, is portrayed as sharing in the daily care, helping with tasks like bathing, feeding, and putting the children to sleep.
The twins made it harder for the family to sustain.
Marcelo, the ragdoll father, feels the pressure as his family’s needs grow, including more food, clothing, and healthcare costs. Yet, his aspiration to have a loving family with children keeps him going, turning each obstacle into a step closer to his ideal life.
Marcelo and Meirivone have big dreams for their family, including owning their own home. Marcelo has been consistently looking online for a house since they got married, Meirivone notes. They remain committed to this goal through all the highs and lows.
The family also faced some struggles.
Their family’s story took a tense turn when Meirivone reported that their son Marcelinho was kidnapped and held for ransom. The intense search efforts, which involved social media and local community outreach, brought a new level of drama to their lives. Thankfully, Marcelinho was found unharmed.
Meirivone has had her share of troubles, too, having accused Marcelo of being unfaithful twice, based on a text from a friend. This revelation upset her greatly, leading her to have Marcelo sleep separately. Despite these issues, their relationship is now stronger than before.
In related news, another woman has gained attention for her collection of doll children, investing $7.5K in 13 artificial infants. Read her story here.
Preview photo credit meirivone_santinha / Instagram, meirivone_santinha / Instagram, meirivone_santinha / Instagram
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