Wendy Williams and Others Are Fabulous at 50+!

She was her usual chic and dynamic self. But since it was her birthday, she was even more exuberant. Yes, Wendy Williams just turned 50. And the iconic daytime talk show host whose name is synonymous with cutting edge entertainment is now - as she proclaimed - "The new face of 50!"

AARP is delighted to have shared the momentous occasion with her. I celebrated with Wendy at her star-studded party. Chaka Khan performed. Sherri Shepherd from The View was there - as were Lil Jon, who was the deejay; Danielle Brooks, who plays Taystee in Orange is the New Black; Jane Velez-Mitchell; Steve Wilkos of The Steve Wilkos Show; Shad "Bow Wow" Morse; LeAnn Rimes-Cibrian and Eddie Cibrian of the LeAnn & Eddie TV show; and Erica Mena, among others! Wow.

How exciting it was. As Wendy recalled on a subsequent Wendy Williams Show, which aired July 21, "Doug E. Fresh jumped on stage and started beat-boxing" as Leann was singing. And Chaka Khan sang songs "that we all knew the words to." And then, also on her show, Wendy gave a special "shout out to my friends at AARP!" And she will indeed get all of those important AARP discounts that she says she is so looking forward to.

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What a remarkable moment for Wendy. This powerful wife, mother of a teenage son, media mogul, entrepreneur, performer and best-selling author is enjoying life to the fullest! Actually, it's a time for celebration for anyone who has experienced turning 50 years old - especially during a season when people at 50 are healthier, more active and more productive than ever before in history.

In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports: "The dramatic increase in average life expectancy during the 20th century ranks as one of society's greatest achievements," especially since "most babies born in 1900 did not live past age 50." The NIH also reports "life expectancy nearly doubled during the 20th century with a tenfold increase in the number of Americans age 65 or older." And, get this: The NIH says that the number of Americans 65 or older now living in America is projected to double from 35 million to 70 million over the next 25 years. It adds, "Living to 100 is becoming increasingly commonplace."

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So for those of us over 50 and for those heading toward it, let us not only salute Wendy, but also join her in the celebration of life! There is every reason to be excited about it.

In fact, I'll give her the final word as quoted in the Atlanta Daily World: "Fifty has always been old to me until I got here. Then I look around and I see Vanessa Williams, because she's a year older than me, but I remember when she turned 50. I'm just like: 50 is really not your mother's 50 anymore. Courtney Cox just turned 50. She looks terrific. If anything, when women think of 50 as being old and they're the older version of 50, that's no longer in vogue to be an old 50. I feel wonderful. I adore when somebody calls me ma'am because I don't feel old. In a million years, I would never want to trade my 50-year-old self for 25. Those years were just so uncertain and such turbulence in my career life and love life and whatnot. Right now, I think 50 is fabulous."

Photo: AARP California Facebook Page

Also of Interest

• Life Reimagined
• Birthday Freebies and Discounts
• Obama's 50th Birthday Wish
• Celebrity Milestone Birthdays in August
• Join AARP: Savings, resources and news for your well-being

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