Trudie Styler: Sting's Wife Talks Yoga, Rainforest Fund
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The Revlon Concert for the Rainforest Fund at Carnegie Hall is set for April 3, featuring Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Meryl Streep, Bruno Mars and Jennifer Hudson, among others. The producer of the event is Sting's wife, Trudie Styler; together they founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989. Since that time the foundation has raised more than $3o million for indigenous peoples.
Trudie Styler is an actress, film producer and director who works on both human rights and environmental issues. In 2002, she became a UNICEF ambassador after witnessing toddlers working on the dump sites of Ecuador. Since then, Styler has raised $5 million for UNICEF projects worldwide.
Styler was born in January 1954 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. At 14, she decided she wanted to act and trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She later acted in various period BBC productions. She began her relationship with Sting in 1982; they married 10 years later. They have four children, Bridget, Jake and Eliot, who are in their 20s, and Giacomo, a high schooler.
In 1993, Styler founded Xingu Films, a production company that makes documentaries and feature films including Guy Ritchie’s first two films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," (1998) and "Snatch" (2000); and the BAFTA-winning "Moon," by first-time director Duncan Jones. Styler has also acted in several films over the last eight years.
Styler, a long-time yoga devotee, recently released a Gaiam yoga DVD, "Strengthen & Restore Yoga." Huff/Post50 recently caught up with Styler and asked her our 10 Big Life Questions. Read on to find out Styler's biggest accomplishment and what gets her creative juices flowing.
What's the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you were growing up?
That bullies and abusers are more afraid of being exposed for their behavior than I ever was as their victim.
Now that you're over 50, what's the one rule you feel you can break with impunity?
I don’t think living by the rules is brave, creative, healthy or fulfilling, and I haven’t done so for many
years before turning 50!
What is the riskiest thing you've done in your life since you've turned 50?
Every time I talk to a journalist.
What ignites your creativity?
Obstacles, challenges, negativity—they all inspire me to find a way to achieve my goals.
What social or political cause(s) are you most passionate about?
Child poverty, social injustice, and environmental abuse.
What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
My mother’s advice: “Whatever you do in life, be kind.”
What is your biggest regret?
My past mistakes are part of who I am now. I try not to think of them with regret.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
Raising over $30 million for the work of the Rainforest Fund.
If you could say one thing to the next generation, what would it be?
Don’t wait for your children to change the world.
If you could reincarnate as anyone or anything, what or who would it be?
Sting!
Check out Styler's amazing style in our slideshow below.
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First Posted: 03/15/2012 10:59 am Updated: 05/23/2012 11:27 am