Irish broadcaster and journalist Mariella Frostrup has made a powerful statement against ageism by posing confidently in a swimsuit at the age of 63. The striking images, part of Staysure's Dream Big Campaign, show the presenter on a beach, radiating joy and vitality with her arms raised and a beaming smile.
A Call for a Radical Rethink on Ageing
Frostrup, a well-known menopause awareness campaigner, declared that a radical rethink of what getting older looks like is long overdue. She expressed frustration that the vibrant lives and aspirations of people in their later years are often ignored by society. "Too often, the person I am, the person my friends are, and the experiences they want, are just not reflected back at us from the wider world," she said.
She described a common revelation for people her age: "You come to an understanding that you’re living the second part of your life, and actually – far from wanting it to get smaller and less inspiring – you want to cram in all of the things that you feel like you haven’t done already." Far from slowing down, Frostrup revealed her 'bucket list' of dream destinations is getting longer, fuelled by what she calls 'more of an appetite for adventure' in her 60s.
Candid Confessions on the Menopause Journey
Born in Oslo and raised in Ireland, Frostrup has been a candid voice on midlife and the menopause. She recently detailed her own difficult experience, which began in her 40s. "From 46 to 48, I had two years of terrible anxiety, palpitations, obsessive thoughts, constant worry – often in the middle of the night. It felt like I was going mad," she shared.
Her initial attempts to seek help were met with confusion. After multiple blood tests, her GP told her she was not menopausal and offered antidepressants. We now know those tests are useless in perimenopause, because hormones fluctuate so wildly," she explained. It was only after seeing a private gynaecologist that she was correctly diagnosed as 'clearly perimenopausal'.
A subsequent bone density scan revealed the serious physical risks of hormone depletion, such as osteoporosis and heart disease. Frostrup labelled the widespread lack of awareness as "the real scandal," noting most women start perimenopause in their early forties but are often dismissed. "We need proper information, support and the confidence to say: this is what’s happening, and this is how we can deal with it," she urged.
Embracing Adventure and Defying Stereotypes
Accompanying images from the campaign show Frostrup embracing an active lifestyle, hiking up mountains and enjoying evening beach strolls with a night light. These visuals perfectly encapsulate her message: later life should be a time of expansion, not contraction.
By partnering with the Dream Big Campaign, Frostrup continues her advocacy, challenging narrow societal views on ageing and empowering women with knowledge about their health. Her stance is a vibrant rebuttal to ageism, proving that the sixth decade and beyond can be a period of renewed energy, adventure, and profound self-awareness.
