Linda Hamilton Embraces Age and Finds Balance in Life
At 69 years old, Linda Hamilton is embracing every aspect of aging with a refreshing outlook on life. The “Terminator” star recently shared her perspective in an interview with AARP, expressing contentment with the natural aging process and the life experiences that come with it.
Hamilton, known for her iconic role in “The Terminator,” is not interested in trying to look younger. She stated, “I do not spend a moment trying to look younger on any level, ever. I have just completely surrendered to the fact that this is the face that I’ve earned. And it tells me so much. And sometimes it’s stuff I don’t want to hear.”
Her current focus is on what truly matters beyond physical appearance. “I don’t chase beauty, and I don’t chase longevity particularly,” she commented, while still prioritizing health and living in the moment.
Hamilton’s approach to life and aging is one of balance and enjoyment. “But not all the time — sometimes it is just a jelly donut. I’m not rigid, which is a fantastic way to get older,” she mentioned, emphasizing the importance of flexibility. “One definition of happiness is being in the middle of a fast-moving river and not trying to swim to the left or the right side. And that, truly, is kind of what my life has been. It’s been a great, fun ride.”
Currently starring in the final season of “Stranger Things,” Hamilton maintains her fitness with regular physical therapy sessions. Her workout routine is adaptable, changing based on her daily needs. “It was Pilates, it was yoga, a lot of free weights, machines, cables, everything. And I kind of love that: to go in and not have a chest and back day, but just have a ‘what do you need to loosen up and stretch out today,'” she explained.
The loss of her twin sister five years ago prompted Hamilton to pursue activities she had postponed, such as horse jumping, a pastime she returned to after a 40-year hiatus. “It sure did shake me up a little bit, the huge loss of my other half. I started doing some bucket-list things,” she said.
Feeling a deep sense of contentment with her age and achievements, Hamilton stated, “I fully inhabit myself in a way that I never did when I was younger. I’m not trying to please anyone or prove anything or show off.” She appreciates the balance she has found between her professional and personal life, saying, “I certainly feel like everything is a blessing right now.”
Hamilton has been vocal about age and the unrealistic beauty standards of Hollywood before. In a 2019 essay for Glamour, she questioned the obsession with eternal youth, writing, “Why does 40 have to be the new 60? Why can’t 60 be the new 60?”
In a conversation with Us Weekly in November 2019, she criticized Hollywood’s fixation on youth, stating, “Of course people are going to look at me and say ‘Oh, she got old.’ Yes, I did, and I have so much more to say as a strong, experienced life-ridden woman.”
