Halle Berry is embracing her 60th birthday not only by showcasing her enduring vitality but also by becoming a vocal advocate for menopause awareness. The actress, who celebrated her milestone birthday recently, has spoken out about her mission to combat the marginalization and devaluation she feels women experience in Hollywood as they age.
"You get to this age where you feel like you're being marginalized, devalued. You feel it at work. You feel it from society," Berry told The Cut earlier this year. "But I have adamantly decided I am not going to allow myself to be erased. That's why I'm on my menopause mission. I'm going to be louder than I have ever been."
Berry has openly discussed her personal struggles with perimenopause symptoms, including brain fog and exhaustion. In response, she has modified her diet and incorporated strength training into her fitness regimen to manage these challenges. She adheres to a strict ketogenic diet, which has also helped her manage her diabetes, a condition she was diagnosed with at age 22. This dietary approach involves a low-carbohydrate, high-fat intake and has led her to eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates from her diet.
"My health was on the line, so I went cold turkey on my sugar-filled ways. Out the window went the candy, the desserts, and even super-sweet fruit," Berry stated. She also noted that over time, her palate has adjusted, and foods she once craved, like bread, have lost their appeal.
Her personal trainer describes Berry as a dedicated client who works out five days a week, engaging in activities such as yoga, strength training, cardio, and martial arts. Notably, she has shifted her training focus to incorporate weightlifting to build muscle mass, a change she attributes to entering menopause.
"I used to do a lot of cardio," she has said previously. "Right now, I'm trying to put muscle mass on, so I lift weights now, and I never used to lift weights before. I only did my own body weight and cardio like cycling and running. Now I just do pretty much boring – what I find boring – but it's necessary for this stage of life, really just heavier weights than I've ever lifted, and I do it probably two days a week at least."
Berry also acknowledges the role of genetics and her athletic upbringing, including her time as a gymnast, in her overall fitness. She has been married and divorced multiple times, with past marriages including Olivier Martinez, Eric Benét, and David Justice. She is currently engaged to musician Van Hunt, and she has two children from previous relationships.