The women working into their nineties

Honor Blackman, actress, 84
When I was young I hoped that I would be dead by 40, because I thought that was so old, but of course your ideas change. Age isn’t important — I meet lots of people who are younger than me, but seem older.

I am always asked the secret of staying youthful. I suppose it’s in the genes: my mother looked about 70 when she was 92. I do 15 minutes on my exercise bike every day, and Pilates.

I sometimes forget names; I can’t call them up instantly but one wonders if one has always been like that. As far as learning lines goes, they seem still to go in: that’s from years and years of practice. I get rather cross when people think that I wouldn’t be able to do something because of my age. I think: “Hold on, sweetheart — ask me first!”

Baroness Blackstone, life peer, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, Chair of the Royal Institute of British Architects trust and Great Ormond Street Hospital, mid-sixties
There is evidence from geriatricians that 65 today is more like 45 was 40 years ago. If women are now living to their mid- nineties and that’s likely to be extended farther, why ever would you stop working and leading an active life at the age of 60?

It’s an obvious point, but being active and involved in lots of different things in itself keeps you young, gives you commitments, enthusiasms and contact with many people. If you withdraw you are much more likely to be less confident and start feeling tired because you get used to a quieter pace.

Joan Bakewell, broadcaster and journalist, 76
When I was the voice of older people for the Government, it gave me a huge awareness of how miserable people feel. Women feel it more than men; they feel invisible, while older men may be marrying second wives and having families. Bag lady, old bag: there is a huge attitude problem.

People don’t realise that there’s a lot of old age to be paid for. My accountant and I calculate on my living to be 95, which is another 20 years. I’ve got more beady-eyed about money going in and out.

All of life leads to today. You go on growing and developing, and it just gets better. However, you can’t just drift and expect things to happen, because they don’t. You’ve got to construct your own life as you get older.

Margaret Harrison, travel writer, 71
Physically, I don’t feel any different from when I was 25; in fact, I am probably fitter now. I play tennis twice a week and cycle everywhere I can. But you you have to have the right attitude from the start. I’ve worn face cream all my life, I watch what I eat, avoid sugar, alcohol and caffeine, processed food and eat lots of vegetables and fruit.

I haven’t retired as I work for myself, but now I work less and play more with my grandchildren — they offer something new every time I see them. My work for the Alzheimer’s Society helps me to feel that I’m putting something back, and it also helps me because it is demanding. I admit that I was fed up when I reached 60. But I don’t let my colleagues know that I have a freedom pass. I am in a competitive situation and I don’t want people to think I am past it because I’m not.

Diana Athill, literary editor and memoirist, 91
I think it was Alan Bennett who said: “Once you’re over 80 you only have to eat a soft-boiled egg and everyone thinks you’re marvellous.” My age has made people treat me better, especially as I’ve written and published three books since I passed my 80th birthday. It can be patronising, but on the whole it’s not. People say that the young are not nice to the old — I find they are very nice to me.

As you get older, you come up against a tiredness. You wake up in the morning and you don’t really feel like getting up, but it’s important to make yourself do it and always to push yourself. I’ve never done any exercise. I’m proof that if you sit on your backside all your life, you’ll be fine.

I don’t feel any different now. The only thing I mind horribly is that I am now very deaf. There are certain things that I used to like doing that I don’t now — like sex. But once you realise you don’t want them, you don’t mind not having them.

Kara Wilson, painter, actress, singer and writer, 65
At my age, getting good acting parts is hard because they all go to Helen Mirren, so I am performing a twice-weekly one-woman cabaret show for the Alzheimer’s Society in my living room, as well as working towards an exhibition of portraits.

None of us thinks that we look the age we are. I always expect people to say, “Oh, you are not old enough to get your bus pass” but they never do. I spend a lot of time at the gym, doing Pilates and walking. I’m not so good about what I eat, but at the age of 40 you realise that it is important to look after yourself. I think the key to staying youthful is a happy attitude and optimism.