Some people look forward to enjoying their golden years in retirement, basking in sunlight on pristine beaches after saying goodbye to years of work. But to others, retirement is nothing but a dirty word.
Dame Judi Dench called it "rude." Betty White said the word isn't in her vocabulary.
There are countless other celebs who just keep going and have no intention of slowing down. Here's what we can learn from them about having a long-lasting career.
1
They pursue hobbies.
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At 73, Harrison Ford keeps himself busy with more than just his acting career. When he's not starring in films, the actor enjoys his hobby of flying planes. Ford is said to fly himself "everywhere," even taking off with friends on camping trips to explore. He told Barbara Walters in an interview that he "loves the freedom" he feels when flying. Even a 2015 plane crash couldn't deter the aviation buff from taking to the skies.
2
They wake up early and seize the day.
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With an empire spanning everything from a television show to housewares, you'd think the business mogul might want to retire from her busy career. But Martha Stewart seems to be perfectly content keeping occupied.
The 74-year-old says she starts early in the day, waking up before 6:30 to feed her pets and go through her skincare regimen, among other things.
But she also says she doesn't get enough sleep -- which we don't recommend.
The 74-year-old says she starts early in the day, waking up before 6:30 to feed her pets and go through her skincare regimen, among other things.
But she also says she doesn't get enough sleep -- which we don't recommend.
3
They stick to a routine.
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Last year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made history by becoming the UK's longest-reigning monarch. The 89-year-old has been head of state since 1952 and takes her duties very seriously.
She has a strict routine that keeps her going -- one that's been pretty similar for much of her reign. She's said to wake up regularly at 7:30 a.m., and start the day catching up on the news while she has a breakfast of tea and cereal. She then takes a bath, goes over her day's schedule, and starts in on her packed agenda.
She has a strict routine that keeps her going -- one that's been pretty similar for much of her reign. She's said to wake up regularly at 7:30 a.m., and start the day catching up on the news while she has a breakfast of tea and cereal. She then takes a bath, goes over her day's schedule, and starts in on her packed agenda.
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4
They make time for fitness.
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Yes, we know Jane Fonda is a fitness icon, but even in her 70s, the actress says she does as much as she can to keep in shape, modifying as necessary.
“My body just wouldn’t tolerate what I used to do ... I don’t lift 20 pounds, I lift eight or 10. But I keep working out despite the hip and knee replacement. The mistake that so many people make is that if they can’t do what they once did, then they don’t do anything," Fonda said in a 2013 interview.
"I want to stay independent as long as possible. I want to be able to sit on the floor and play with my grandchildren. I want to carry at least some of my own luggage and not take 15 minutes to get out of a car," she said.
“My body just wouldn’t tolerate what I used to do ... I don’t lift 20 pounds, I lift eight or 10. But I keep working out despite the hip and knee replacement. The mistake that so many people make is that if they can’t do what they once did, then they don’t do anything," Fonda said in a 2013 interview.
"I want to stay independent as long as possible. I want to be able to sit on the floor and play with my grandchildren. I want to carry at least some of my own luggage and not take 15 minutes to get out of a car," she said.
5
They stay positive.
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At 85, Clint Eastwood is still making his mark in Hollywood -- though he's moved from being in front of the camera to being behind it. His attitude might be something that helps keep him going.
"I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will," he's said.
The actor says he won't retire as long as there are stories to be told.
"I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will," he's said.
The actor says he won't retire as long as there are stories to be told.
6
They don't work just for the money.
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As one of the richest men in the world, Warren Buffett could easily quit working and still have billions at his disposal. But the 85-year-old says he keeps working simply because he loves his job -- a lesson he wants to teach youngsters.
"I'm tap dancing to work every day. There's nothing more exciting than to get there. It doesn't get better than that," Buffett said in a 2015 interview.
Buffett said for him to stop working would be "crazy." "If I quit today -- I see these people. They spend a whole week planning their haircut. That is not my idea of living," he said. Now there's a man who knows what he wants.
"I'm tap dancing to work every day. There's nothing more exciting than to get there. It doesn't get better than that," Buffett said in a 2015 interview.
Buffett said for him to stop working would be "crazy." "If I quit today -- I see these people. They spend a whole week planning their haircut. That is not my idea of living," he said. Now there's a man who knows what he wants.
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7
They keep their minds sharp.
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Keeping mentally sharp is one of the most important parts of successful aging. While hobbies like Harrison Ford's flying, and fitness routines like Jane Fonda's workouts are good for boosting the body and the brain, actor Michael Caine takes it one step further.
The 82-year-old actor says he takes turmeric to keep his mind razor sharp. Caine said his wife, of Indian origin, introduced him to the benefits of the spice turmeric. He says he discovered that Alzheimer's isn't very common in India.
"I have been taking turmeric tablets for 30 years and I have a memory like a computer," Caine said in a 2013 interview. "I remember everything."
The 82-year-old actor says he takes turmeric to keep his mind razor sharp. Caine said his wife, of Indian origin, introduced him to the benefits of the spice turmeric. He says he discovered that Alzheimer's isn't very common in India.
"I have been taking turmeric tablets for 30 years and I have a memory like a computer," Caine said in a 2013 interview. "I remember everything."
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