Monica Bellucci Embraces Aging as a 'Wonderful Gift'
The acclaimed actress discusses her perspective on aging and evolving roles for mature women in Hollywood.
Monica Bellucci, 62, has shared her positive outlook on aging, describing it as a "wonderful gift" in a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar España. The Italian actress, known for her enduring beauty, rejects the notion that aging is inherently negative for women.
"Either you grow old and accept the process with dignity, or you die," Bellucci stated. "Looking at it like this, I prefer to age a thousand times." She views getting older as a sign of being fortunate to be alive and having a future, noting that maturity brings "detachment," allowing one to become a "spectator of the world" and gain a broader perspective.
Bellucci also commented on the changing landscape for older actresses, observing an increase in available roles. "In the past, it was almost impossible for actresses to have a career after the age of 40," she said. She highlighted contemporary French actresses like Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, and Fanny Ardant as examples of women who continue to have significant careers, appearing on covers and leading campaigns with "indisputable authority." Bellucci believes that "a mature woman has fascinating stories to tell and the public demands to see those realities on the big screen."
When asked about feeling beautiful, Bellucci emphasized that true beauty comes from within. "The important thing is what you feel inside," she explained. "I think it's about having an enriching inner life, a passion that encourages you, watching your children grow up, contemplating the sea, having friends, a family you love... a full woman's life."
She elaborated that the awareness of mortality, which increases with age, leads to a greater appreciation for life's simple pleasures. "You wake up in the morning and being healthy or enjoying the aroma of a coffee becomes a reason for gratitude. But that is only understood with time."
Last year, Bellucci and director Tim Burton announced their separation after a two-year relationship. They stated, "It is with much respect and deep care for each other that Monica Bellucci and Tim Burton have decided to part ways." The couple began dating in October 2022 and worked together on Burton's film "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." Bellucci had previously been married to Vincent Cassel from 1997 to 2013, with whom she has two daughters, Deva and Leonie. Burton was previously in a long-term relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter, with whom he has two children.