This English fashion icon, who set trends in the 1960s with her distinctive look and became a symbol of the era, remains as elegant as ever in her 70s. Today, fans are still in awe of her as she shows that true fashion never fades with age.
On September 19, 1949, this model, actress, and producer was born. By the time the ’60s rolled by, she was ready to revolutionize the fashion industry with her distinctive look and instantly recognizable style.
Her slim figure, pixie haircut, and striking eyes made her a global sensation and a symbol of a new era in modeling. Decades later, her influence still resonates in the fashion world, and fans are excited about how she has carried her iconic image into her 70s, maintaining the charm and elegance that first captivated the world.
Far from slowing down, she remains active in her personal and professional life, embracing her age gracefully. The star often engages in various pursuits, including appearances on television, fashion collaborations, and public speaking.
In September 2023, she collaborated with Vogue to recreate her Bert Stern original Vogue shoot from 1967. Despite her age, she flawlessly nailed the look as she noted, ” Everything came full circle for me in that moment.”
Fans immediately took to the comments section to share their thoughts. One wrote, “The most iconic of all the supermodels.” Another fan went down memory lane, writing, “I remember I was in 12th grade and did lower lash draw in and my sister got the short twiggy hair cut. You look amazing still. ❤️”
As she maintains a vibrant lifestyle, her passion for fashion and zest for life remains as strong as ever. Fans are also excited about her journey through the decades, which showcases a fascinating evolution of style that began in the vibrant 1960s.
A Look Back: From the ’60s to Now
The model burst onto the fashion scene in the 1960s, becoming the face of a new era with her slim figure, short blonde hair, big eyes, and androgynous style.
Discovered as a teenager, she quickly became an international sensation, embodying the youthful spirit of the decade. Her unique look broke the mold of traditional beauty standards, making her a trailblazer and a cultural icon.
1960s: The Rise of a Supermodel
In the 1960s, her boyish figure, dramatic eyelashes, and pixie haircut set her apart from the curvier models of the time. She became the embodiment of the “mod” look.
Her influence extended beyond modeling; She became a symbol of the changing attitudes toward women’s fashion, representing freedom and youth.
1970s: Expanding Horizons
As the 1970s rolled in, she transitioned from modeling to acting and singing, showcasing her versatility. She embraced the era’s trends and showcased a softer, more natural look.
Her style evolved to reflect the laid-back vibe of the decade while still maintaining her unique edge. By 1977, her career flourished as an actress.
She became known as a Broadway star, and her family and personal life also thrived. It was that year that she married American actor Michael Whitney.
1980s: Family Life and More
The star and her husband welcomed a daughter. Sadly, by April 1983, when their daughter was four, the couple had become estranged. In September of that year, she lost her husband as he collapsed in a Manhattan restaurant due to a heart attack.
At the time of his death, she was going on stage to perform her hit musical “My One and Only,” and was not told the sad news until she finished her set.
Despite her loss, the model and actress’s fashion sense also matured. She adopted more classic and sophisticated styles while reflecting the decade’s trends.
1990s: Effortless Style in a Grunge Era
The 1990s saw her still ruling the fashion world. She embraced the minimalist and grunge trends of the era, often seen in simple, chic outfits. From plaids to scarves, the model showed versatility with her looks.
She also loved her high-waisted and skinny jeans. Over the years, she proved her timeless appeal and adaptability.
2000s: Reinventing the Icon
In the 2000s, she continued to reinvent herself, embracing the fashion trends of the new millennium. She balanced modern styles with a nod to her iconic past, often wearing sleek silhouettes, statement accessories, and bold patterns.
The model remained a fixture in fashion, taking on roles as a judge alongside Tyra Banks on shows like “America’s Next Top Model,” where she influenced a new generation of aspiring models.
2010s: Embracing Timeless Elegance
As she entered her 60s, her style evolved into a timeless and elegant one. She often opted for tailored outfits and refined accessories, showcasing a sophisticated look that was true to her playful spirit.
She continued to make public appearances, captivating audiences with her graceful aging and ongoing contribution to the fashion world. In this decade, she noted her style hadn’t changed much.
When planning her looks, she tended to start from her feet up. This is because her footwear depends on how much walking she’d be doing, which automatically helps her decide what to wear.
Before the decade ended, she received the Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire award for her services to fashion, the arts, and charity in 2019.
2020s: Aging with Grace and Style
Now in her 70s, her style reflects a confident embrace of her age. She favors comfortable yet stylish clothing, often seen in chic blazers and classic colors.
While she maintains the iconic short hair, her makeup is softer, highlighting her natural beauty. Her look today blends the classic and the contemporary, demonstrating that style is ageless.
From the bold, youthful looks of the 1960s to her sophisticated style today, this icon’s fashion journey is a testament to her ability to adapt and evolve. She has transitioned seamlessly through the decades, each phase of her life marked by a distinct yet recognizable style.
While her look has matured, her essence remains unchanged — she continues to inspire with her timeless beauty, proving that true style is not about following trends but staying true to oneself.
Over the years, the model and actress born Lesley Hornby, famously known as Twiggy, has embraced a natural approach to aging, choosing to forgo cosmetic procedures like Botox in favor of aging gracefully.
She has spoken candidly about her decision, expressing that she values authenticity and feels no pressure to alter her appearance. Her choice to embrace her natural beauty sets her apart in an industry often obsessed with youth.
In 2016, she revealed, “I haven’t had plastic surgery but, if I ever felt the need, I would find a very, very good surgeon. I would never use Botox because, in my mind, it’s poison.”
Her natural approach to aging doesn’t just define her personal life — it’s also a key part of her enduring influence in fashion. Regarding her wardrobe, she prefers cobalt blue, purple, and orange while staying away from yellows because of her skin tone.
Twiggy’s natural approach to aging is a refreshing reminder that confidence and self-love are timeless. She also knows how to care for herself despite remarking that she’s low maintenance.
She swears by pilates, an exercise recommended by her osteopath after she suffered a bad back. Now that she’s a grandmother, Twiggy also knows how to relax. She does this with a glass of wine, preferably a Rose, especially during summer.
Irrespective of what she does, Twiggy once mentioned that she never goes on a diet. However, she’s mindful of what she eats and drinks lots of water.
Twiggy exemplifies what it means to age gracefully — staying true to her iconic image while evolving with poise and elegance. Her journey is a reminder that style is about celebrating who you are at every stage of life.
My Family Dumped Grandma at the Airport and Left for Vacation Without Her—They Didn’t Expect Me to Strike Back
Some people show their true colors when you least expect it. For me, it came through a tearful call from my grandma, who was dumped at the airport because my family thought pushing her wheelchair was too much trouble. They went on vacation without her, thinking they’d never face consequences.
After losing both my parents, my family circle had shrunk to just my dad’s sister, Aunt Liz, her husband Ron, and my two grandmothers—including Grandma Ruth, my last connection to Mom’s side. She may use a wheelchair, but she doesn’t let anyone tell her what she can or can’t do… and that’s exactly what I adore about her.
An older woman sitting in her wheelchair | Source: Pexels
Living three states away with my husband and two kids, plus working two jobs, made regular visits difficult. So when a bonus check landed in my account, I thought, “Why not give them a memory?”
I booked my remaining family a fully paid vacation to Paradise Cove. Flights, hotel, meals—all prepaid under my name.
“Amy, you shouldn’t have!” Aunt Liz gushed over the phone. “This is too much!”
“Family comes first, right, Aunt Liz?” I said, and back then, I meant every word.
A delighted senior woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
The morning they left, Aunt Liz posted a photo from the airport gate. All smiles with the caption: “Family is everything! ❤️🌴 #Blessed”
I was in my office when my phone rang three hours later.
“Hello?”
“Amy…?” Grandma’s voice trembled, barely audible over the airport announcements.
“Grandma Ruth? What’s wrong?”
“I’m still at the airport, honey. They… they left me.”
“Left you? What do you mean?”
A young woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“Liz said pushing my wheelchair was too much trouble. That I was moving too slowly and they’d miss their flight. They just… walked away.”
My stomach dropped like a stone.
“Where are you exactly?”
“Terminal B. By the coffee shop. I don’t know what to do.”
“Don’t move. I’m going to fix this.”
An airport terminal | Source: Unsplash
I hung up and immediately texted Aunt Liz: “Why did you leave Grandma Ruth at the airport? She’s alone and crying.”
The reply came fast: “We’re on vacation! We’re not babysitters. Maybe if she wasn’t so slow and helpless, she could have kept up. Don’t ruin this for us.”
I stared at those words, something inside me hardening with each second.
“Karen!” I called my assistant. “I need your help.”
A woman talking on the phone in her office | Source: Pexels
While Karen flew back to my hometown to pick up Grandma Ruth, I sat down at my laptop. Every booking—the flights, the hotel, and even the rental car—was under my name. I had full control.
I called the hotel first.
“Paradise Cove Resort, how can I help you?”
“Hi, this is Amy. I need to cancel a reservation.”
After processing the cancellation, I added: “Do you have any availability for a spa package next weekend? Something really nice… and oceanfront.”
“We have our Serenity Suite available with daily massages and premium dining.”
“Perfect. I’d like to book that for two people.”
A woman enjoying a relaxing massage in a spa | Source: Pexels
Next, I canceled my family’s return tickets. No drama, just a few clicks, and their way home vanished.
My phone buzzed a few hours later. It was Karen.
“I’ve got her. We’re grabbing some food before our flight,” she said.
“Put her on a video call, please.”
“Amy?” Grandma Ruth’s voice was steadier now. “Did I do something wrong?”
My heart sank. “No, Grandma. You didn’t do anything wrong. THEY DID.”
A teary-eyed older woman | Source: Freepik
“But why would they just leave me like this?”
“Some people only care about themselves. But I care about you. Karen’s bringing you to my house, and then you and I are going on our own special trip next weekend.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Ocean views, room service, everything.”
She paused. “What about Liz and Ron?”
“Don’t worry about them. They wanted a vacation. They got one.”
Cropped shot of a woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels
I ignored the flood of calls and texts that started coming in hours later. I imagined them arriving at Paradise Cove, only to learn there was no reservation under their names.
“Amy, there’s a problem with the hotel. Call me back immediately,” Aunt Liz texted, her words tight with irritation.
Twenty minutes later: “This isn’t funny. We’re sitting in the lobby with all our luggage. Fix this now.”
By the third text, panic had crept in: “Please call us back. The whole island is booked solid. We don’t know what to do.”
Suitcases in a hotel lobby | Source: Pexels
I deleted each message as it came in, and Tom brought me a glass of wine while I waited for Karen’s flight to land.
“Still not answering?” he asked.
“Nope.”
“Good.”
“I also canceled their return flights.”
A flight taking off | Source: Unsplash
Tom nearly choked on his wine. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“They abandoned her like she was inconvenient luggage.”
“You did the right thing. When do you plan to talk to them?”
“When Grandma Ruth is safe in our guest room. Not a minute before.”
***
My grandmother arrived just after midnight, exhausted but smiling weakly.
“There’s my girl!” she said, opening her arms to me.
A delighted older lady | Source: Freepik
I hugged her gently, breathing in the familiar scent of lavender and rosemary oil. “I’m so sorry this happened,” I whispered.
“Not your fault. You’re a good granddaughter.”
Once she was settled with tea, I checked my phone. Seventeen missed calls, 23 texts, and five voicemails.
The final text: “HAD TO PAY $460 FOR A FILTHY MOTEL. WHAT DID YOU DO???”
I turned to Tom. “I think it’s time.”
A smiling woman looking at her phone | Source: Pexels
Alone in our kitchen, I dialed Aunt Liz’s number.
“Amy! What’s going on? We’re stranded, the hotel has no—”
“How’s your vacation going, Aunt Liz?”
“What did you do?”
“I canceled everything. Hotel, return flights, all of it.”
“What?? You… you can’t do that!”
“Actually, I can! It was all booked under my name.”
A stunning resort | Source: Unsplash
“Why would you do this to us?”
I laughed. “That’s rich coming from the woman who abandoned a 78-year-old at the airport.”
“We didn’t abandon her. We just—”
“Left her alone, in a wheelchair, with no help. Then lied about coming back.”
“She was slowing us down! We would have missed our flight!”
“So you miss the flight,” I snapped. “All of you. That’s what family does.”
Cropped shot of an older woman sitting while holding her cane | Source: Pixabay
“Don’t lecture me about family. You’re never even around.”
“I work two jobs to support my children. And still found the time and money to send you on vacation.”
“Where is she?”
“Safe… with people who actually care about her.”
“You need to fix this. Book us new flights home, at least.”
I took a deep breath. “No.”
“No? What do you mean, no?”
“Figure it out yourselves. Consider it a life lesson in consequences.”
A smiling woman talking on the phone | Source: Pexels
“You snake!” she spat. “Your mother would be ashamed of you.”
“My mother would be horrified by what you did. Don’t speak for her.”
“We’re family, Amy. You can’t just—”
“Family doesn’t leave family behind. You made your choice at that airport gate. I’m making mine now.”
I hung up and blocked her number.
Close-up shot of a woman holding her phone | Source: Pexels
The spa weekend with Grandma Ruth was everything I’d hoped. We got massages as waves crashed outside, ate seafood overlooking the ocean, and talked for hours about Mom, life, and everything.
On our last evening, we sat on the balcony with glasses of champagne, and Grandma took my hand.
“This isn’t the first time Liz and Ron have treated me… differently. Since your mom passed, they’ve canceled plans and forgotten to include me. I didn’t want to burden you.”
My heart ached. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She patted my hand. “You have your own family and troubles, dear. I didn’t want to be a burden.”
A young woman holding an older person’s hand | Source: Pexels
“You could never be a burden, Grandma.”
She smiled, her eyes crinkling. “I know that now.”
Before bed, I posted a photo of us. Grandma Ruth in a fluffy spa robe and me with my arm around her, tropical flowers in our hair.
The caption? “Family is everything. 🥰“
***
My cousin Jen called the next day.
“Mom and Dad are losing their minds. They spent three nights in some roach motel. Dad got food poisoning.”
“Tragic!”
A motel | Source: Unsplash
Jen snorted. “Between us? They deserved it. I can’t believe they left Grandma Ruth.”
“You didn’t know?”
“No! Mom tried to spin some story about Grandma choosing to stay behind, but Dad cracked under questioning. Your revenge was pure art, by the way. Evil genius level.”
I laughed. “Is that a compliment?”
“Absolutely. Is Grandma okay?”
“She’s great. We just got back from Paradise Cove. Spa treatments, room service, the works.”
“Oh my God! You didn’t…!?”
“I did! With plenty of pictures for your parents to enjoy.”
A woman relaxing in a spa | Source: Unsplash
It’s been two months since the airport incident. Aunt Liz and Uncle Ron still aren’t speaking to me… a bonus I didn’t even ask for.
Grandma Ruth moved in with us last week. We converted the office into a sunny bedroom overlooking the garden. The kids adore having her. She’s teaching my daughter to knit and my son how to make her famous apple pie.
Last night, as we sat watching fireflies blink in the gathering darkness, she turned to me.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
“For what?”
“For showing me that I matter.”
An emotional older woman | Source: Freepik
I rested my head on her shoulder, just like I used to do as a little girl. “You’ve always mattered, Grandma.”
“Maybe so. But sometimes we need reminding.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while.
“You know what I’ve learned?” I said finally.
“What’s that, sweetheart?”
An emotional older woman looking at someone | Source: Freepik
“People show their true character not through grand gestures, but through small, everyday choices. Who they help when it’s inconvenient. Who they protect when it costs them something.”
Grandma nodded. “And who they leave behind when no one’s watching.”
“Exactly.”
She squeezed my hand. “Well, I’m watching now. And I see you, Amy.”
Some people say revenge doesn’t solve anything. Maybe they’re right. But sometimes justice tastes like room service pancakes shared with a grandmother who finally knows how cherished she truly is. And that feels like healing enough for me.
Close-up shot of a young woman holding an older lady’s hands | Source: Freepik
Leave a Reply