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Black women over 50 are different from those I experienced growing up. Back then, the focus was on being the caretakers of the household, often neglecting personal needs and self-care. Life as a wife and mother was their sole identity, but as the years passed and mindsets evolved, women began to lean into their multifaceted nature. They reclaimed agency over their careers and family lives and honored the parts of themselves that society deemed inappropriate because of their age.
Today, Black women over 50 exude a sense of freedom that was once repressed in the women of the 90s and 00s. They wear what they want, do what they want, and because self-care is a top priority, they look just as good as the women in their 30s. For me, turning 50 no longer feels like a suppression of self but an induction into an elite club of women who know exactly who they are.
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Fo example, On October 7, Toni Braxton shared a cheeky post to her Instagram page in honor of her 58th birthday. The mother of two’s timeless beauty and sex appeal has been consistent with her brand since the early 90s. But in the last 8 years, she’s served an unapologetic confidence that makes me say, “I can’t wait to turn 50!”
We live in a world where growing older isn’t embraced as it should be. Everyone is obsessed with looking younger instead of honoring the chapter life has gifted them with. Each decade produces life lessons. Your twenties are for having fun and making mistakes. Your 30s are for honoring mistakes so you can learn and grow from them. And in your 40s, you learn to create firm boundaries and stop people-pleasing, which sets you up for liberation in your 50s.
Lucky for us, we have lots of evidence to test this theory. Check out 15 Black women over 50 who personify confidence, classy, joy and freedom.
15 Black Women Over 50 Who Exude The Freedom That Comes With Aging
1. Gabrielle Union, 51
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Gabrielle Union’s youthful glow makes 51 look like 25. The timeless actress and author experienced motherhood at the age of 46 via surrogacy, and now she’s living her best life with her husband, step-children, and daughter.
On her 50th birthday, the Being Mary Jane actress posted a photo of herself, husband and daughter with the caption, “As we start this journey across the world for my 50th, I just want to luxuriate in my gratitude for my family, my amazing friends and all the friends I haven’t even met in person who have kept this train on the tracks this year, even after I collided with myself. Thank y’all for rockin with the old homie. I appreciate you guys more than you can imagine.”
2. Tracee Ellis Ross, 51
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Tracee Ellis Ross is changing the narrative around women who are unmarried without children. The actress, who constantly faces scrutiny for her lifestyle choices, set the record straight at the Unite for America rally with Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey. Ross, who turns 52 in a few days, continues to advocate for women who aren’t aligned with society’s traditional approach to marriage and motherhood.
“As a 52-year-old childless woman, I wanna say to the people who think that a woman’s worth is measured in her baby count—I mean, shoutout to all the amazing mothers—but the childless women have been mothering the world and elevating culture as aunties, godmothers, teachers, mentors, sisters, friends, and the list goes on. You do not need to push out a baby to help push humanity forward,” she declared.
3. Kenya Moore, 53
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Kenya Moore became a mother at 47. She was undoubtedly about to embark on a new chapter, which included motherhood, perimenopause, and a thriving career. And while the Housewives of Atlanta alum thought turning 50 would shift her career, she realized she had nothing to worry about.
In an interview with Glamour, the actress said, “I thought that I would not be considered for certain jobs and people would think, Oh, she’s dried up, she’s old,” Moore says. “But the world changed for the better—it was completelyopposite of my fears. I’ve never been so busy in my life. People seem to really respect where I am and where I’ve come from. I feel so strong and powerful.”
4. Mary J Blige, 53
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Mary J. Blige is the queen of living her life on her own accord. Like Ross, the legendary singer has no children, and she has no regrets.
In an interview with E! Daily Pop, captured by Cocktails with Queens, she says, “I have nieces and nephews forever and I’m always watching how people are scrambling for babysitters,” she explains. “I don’t want to go through that.”
“I like my freedom to go and move and do what I want to do. I don’t want to have to tend to someone all the time,” she continues. “I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”
5. Regina King, 53
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Regina King stole our hearts as Brenda in 227, and she’s continued to win us over with her legendary acting and directing skills. With 46 years in the entertainment industry, King offers a fresh perspective on turning 50.
In a 2021 interview with British Vogue, the iconic actress shared her thoughts on the new milestone. “I feel like I’m so much more interesting now, as a soon-to-be 50-year-old woman, than I was at 25,” the director who was turning 50 that year, told British Vogue. “I can bring so much more to the table. I think that’s the same for all people.”
6. Nia Long, 53
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Nia Long is every human being’s celebrity crush. Beyond her radiance lies a woman who knows exactly who she is and makes no apologies for it. In an interview with Essence, the actress who’s contributed over 30 years to the entertainment industry said, “The greatest part of my journey has been that I’ve been able to maintain my authenticity.”
7. Sanaa Lathan, 53
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Sanaa Lathan’s girl-next-door qualities are what make her a pillar in the Black community. At 53, no one has questioned the seasoned actress’s life choices because they respect her privacy. Lathan has no children, she’s not married, and her silence proves it’s none of our business.
8. Regina Hall, 53
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Regina Hall is a comedic genius that brings joy to every room she enters. For her 50th birthday, the actress created a now-viral anthem to honor her solar return.
“Because laughter keeps you forever young I wrote a special song for a special Birthday,” she wrote on the Instagram post.
“A b***h is old today. I passed half my life expectan-cay,” she sang.
9. Tamron Hall, 54
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Tamron Hall introduced marriage and motherhood to her journey in her late 40s. The talk show host, now 54, spent the first four years of her 50s experiencing life as a mother, wife, and successful businesswoman, and she’s killing it!
In an interview with Parade, Hall highlights her experience with motherhood in her 50s. “The biggest difference between being a mom in your 50s versus your 30s is perspective. I’m much more aware of my response. Like, do I need a level-10 response for a level-2 problem? I know urgency. I’m also not going to allow people to pull me into response. That philosophy allows me to be an executive producer and to have the time to write the series and go last weekend to a Harlem Globetrotters game with my son and then to the circus the next day. I know how to figure it all out,” she tells the outlet.
10. Taraji P Henson, 54
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Taraji P. Henson is in her prime, and you can’t tell me otherwise. The actress has her hand on the hottest roles and explored entrepreneurial ventures that contribute to her legacy. Although Henson has almost 3 decades in the entertainment industry, her current projects prove she has no plans to slow down.
11. Queen Latifah, 54
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Queen Latifah is a national treasure that really shows the power of authenticity. She’s always lived a private life, but as she settles into her 50s, the actress has begun to let fans in on her personal life by attending red-carpet events with her wife. At the beginning of her career, Queen Latifah kept her sexuality under wraps, but now that she’s older, she could give a damn what others think. Who gonna check her, boo?
12. Garcelle Beauvais, 57
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Haitian sensation Garcelle Beauvais gives Mrs. Parker vibes. The 57-year-old actress and Housewives of Beverly Hills castmate has a confident certainty about herself and how she shows up in the world. As the only Black woman on a show of White elitists, Beauvais holds her own, which can be difficult in that kind of setting.
13. Cynthia Bailey, 57
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Cynthia Bailey proves that life and love don’t stop after 50. The actress and model let the world in on her life during her time as a castmate on Real Housewives of Atlanta. There, fans witnessed her vulnerable approach to love.
14. Toni Braxton, 58
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Toni Braxton’s confidence and authenticity should be studied. We didn’t think it was possible for her to be more sexy now at 58, than her days of belting out love ballads in the 90s.
In an interview with ET, the legendary singer said, “I wanted people to know that 50s is still sexy, and it’s OK, and don’t be afraid to age,” she added. “I felt a little some kind of way when I turned 50, but I’m OK. I’m alright about it.”
15. Janet Jackson, 58
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Jacket Jackson celebrated a half century of life with a bang by giving birth to her first child at 50. The singer lived a very private life, but as she’s gotten older, she’ more open about aspects of her journey.
In an interview with People, the singer and actress says, “Maybe it’s because I’m not as shy as I used to be so I’m a little bit more open and just sharing more of my life than I ever did before,” she says.
