Helen Mirren has definitely earned a legion of fans throughout her more than 50-year career as an actress, and her commitment to ageing naturally has garnered her even more popularity.
Mirren started off in the entertainment industry as a theater actress, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company before making her debut on London’s West End in 1975.
Though, the now-78-year-old didn’t become a household name until later on in her life – she was 35 when she landed her breakout role as a gangster’s girlfriend in ‘The Long Good Friday’ (1980), opposite Bob Hoskins.
Having focused on her career for much of her adult life, finding the right partner and having children wasn’t on Mirren’s radar… Until she met her now-husband – US film director Taylor Hackford.
“I was 38 when I met Taylor, pretty late in life,” she stated in a 2016 AARP interview, recalling how the director had kept her waiting for an audition when they first met. When she eventually landed the part, the pair got to know each other and their relationship grew from there.
Eventually, Mirren and Hackford were able to bond over their similar working class upbringings (her mother was a working class woman whose own family came from a long line of butchers, while Mirren’s father was a Russian aristocrat who escaped to the UK during the Russian Revolution and became a cab driver to support his family).
The future spouses also bonded over their love for traveling, and apparently had a similar view on storytelling, both being in the entertainment industry.
Even though Hackford’s two children from previous marriages supported Mirren’s union with their father, this didn’t change her stance on becoming a mother herself. Though, she did explain that she found Hackford’s dedication to being the best parent to his children rather endearing.
The pair eventually married in 1997, after they came to the realization that they knew they would be together forever. At that point, they’d been together for over a decade.
The infamous swimsuit photo
Fast forward to 2008, and Mirren went viral for an image her husband snapped of her at the beach… Something that stunned fans and even the legendary actress herself!
The married couple had been on a romantic Italian beach vacation when they trekked to a secluded beach spot to take in the breathtaking views in private.
She recalled how she took a photo of her husband and then, in return, he snapped a quick pic of her. Though, Mirren said that the moment she sucked in her stomach when posing, she saw a small flash in the distance and crouched down on the rocks to hide from the apparent paparazzo.
When Mirren’s husband turned around, he couldn’t see the paparazzo, and said his wife was just being “paranoid”. Though, sure enough, the photo taken of Mirren in a red bikini was posted by a tabloid and went viral everywhere.
A few years later the actress told Ellen DeGeneres on the latter’s talk show that the image was just a fluke, saying: “I look at that picture and say, god, I wish I look like that. But I don’t.”
Years later, people are still stunned by the image of Mirren, who was 63 years old at the time it was taken – with many people on the internet commenting that they don’t look half as good as her despite being decades younger!
In 2014, the Oscar winner spoke about the image just before her 68th birthday, telling People: “The truth is I don’t really look that good, it was just a flattering picture.”
She added: “I am beyond the bikini-wearing age, really. I wouldn’t normally wear one. I look like a woman in her 60s. I’ve always looked awful in a bikini, even when I was young.”
What do you think of Helen Mirren’s stunning bikini image? Let us know in the comments!
If you liked this article, then you’ll definitely be interested in reading about how Julie Andrews made a rare public appearance at 87.
What to Know about the Stunning Northern Lights for Friday Night: Details
The breathtaking aurora borealis may be visible this Friday night across several US states. This is thanks to a recent space phenomenon.
A geomagnetic storm pushed the northern lights further south than usual this week. As a result, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (NWSSWPC) calculates another chance to see them at the right location on October 11, 2024, after many witnessed the event the previous day.
The NWSSWPC has been tracking the aurora’s activity and predicts a KP index of five for Friday night. This index, ranging from 0 to 9, indicates the intensity of the aurora.
A KP of 5 suggests a brighter and more active aurora, potentially visible further south than usual. The aurora typically appears as a green oval centered on Earth’s magnetic pole, but it can turn red during periods of heightened activity.
While often seen just after sunset or before sunrise, the aurora is not visible in daylight. Interestingly, it doesn’t have to be directly overhead to be seen; under ideal conditions, it can be observed from as far as 1,000 km (approximately 621 miles) away.
This celestial display isn’t just a visual wonder; it also serves as an indicator of geomagnetic storm conditions. These events can impact various technologies, including radio communication and GPS navigation
The NWSSWPC emphasizes the aurora borealis as an exceptional opportunity for many to personally experience the wonders of space weather. It is a captivating nighttime display that entices people to journey to Arctic regions simply to witness its beauty.
To see this event, the NWSSWPC suggests finding a location with minimal light pollution and an unobstructed view to the north. A higher vantage point, like a hill, can further enhance your viewing experience. Additionally, the optimal time to watch is usually within an hour or two of midnight, between 10 PM and 2 AM local time.
So, which states are most likely to catch this dazzling display? According to the view line calculated by the NWSSWPC, Alaska and northern parts of Washington have a higher chance of seeing it. Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are also in this range.
Other states, including Montana, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, also have a possibility, though the likelihood is lower
Areas in the rest of the world may also see them. For example, the Meteorological Office predicts that cloudy skies will limit vision for most of the UK, except for Scotland.
This week’s stunning aurora borealis displays weren’t a surprise. The NWSSWPC issued a G4 storm watch on October 9th, 2024, following a coronal mass ejection from the Sun on October 8th.
This powerful solar event had the potential to cause significant disruptions to crucial infrastructure. “There is potential to reach G4 (Severe) upon arrival of this CME and throughout its passage,” the NWSSWPC warned. Eventually, the storm got stronger than initial predictions.
Therefore, this Friday night aurora borealis promises a captivating spectacle for those lucky enough to witness it. However, remember, these predictions can change depending on local weather conditions. Also, the unpredictable nature of this space phenomenon also factors into any chance of viewing.
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