5 People Who Became Incredibly Successful Well After Age 25
One of the essential messages of Your Life After 25, is that there’s no need to discover and determine exactly who you are by the time you turn 25 years old. In fact, the notion that “the good life” ends when one hits the big 2-5 is a complete myth, and a massive source of needless anxiety and unhappiness around the world. Not convinced? Then here is a list of five people who did incredible things and achieved fame and success well after they put 25 candles on their birthday cake:
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman has been in so many memorable movies — the Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and who could forget that his signature voice narrated March of the Penguins — that you may think he’s been a famous actor since he was a young man. But guess what? Freeman didn’t catch his first big break in the acting world until he reached age 50 in the movie Streetsmart.
Henry Ford
Have you driven a Ford lately (perhaps one equipped with an F150 gun safe perhaps)? Well if so, then you may be amazed to learn that the man who started it all — Henry Ford himself — didn’t unveil his company’s very first vehicle, the iconic Model T, until he was 45 years old. Imagine how different the world would be today if he gave up instead of forging ahead?
Ray Kroc
You may not readily know who Ray Kroc is, but I can absolutely guarantee that you’ve enjoyed the restaurant chain that he turned into one of the most incredible business success stories of all time: McDonald’s. Well, Kroc didn’t buy his first McDonald’s until he was 59!
Sam Walton
The man who launched Walmart, Sam Walton, didn’t open his first store until he was 44 years old. Today, Walmart employs more than two million people worldwide (1.75 million in the U.S. alone), and generates a staggering $514.4 billion in revenue each year. Not bad for a company that was started by a guy with a few gray hairs, huh?
Viola Davis
Who doesn’t love Viola Davis? Her career is ON FIRE right now, and it’s because she’s phenomenally talented and elevates whatever movie or TV show she’s in, like the fantastic Fences co-starring Denzel Washington. Well, the lovely and talented Ms. Davis didn’t get her big break until she appeared in a film starring Meryl Streep called Doubt. Her age at the time? 43.
The Bottom Line
If you recently turned 25 — or if 25 is far away in the rear view mirror — then don’t feel that your future is limited and your goals are unattainable. Believe in yourself, work hard, surround yourself with supportive and caring people, and never stop trying. Your life is just getting started, and the best is yet to come!