Carol Vorderman, 65, addresses 'toyboy boyfriend, 45' saying 'I won't apologise'

Can age dictate confidence or the way one should live ? Not if you ask Carol Vorderman. Known for her sharp wit and 26 years on Countdown, the Cambridge-educated TV favourite has spent recent years embracing new attitudes around love, independence and style in a way that’s inspiring women of all generations. Carol is now the ambassador of the JD Williams campaign aiming to flip age stereotypes on their head, encouraging mature women everywhere to take the reins of their own happiness.

Forget what people expect from a woman at 65. As Carol teams up with JD Williams to spotlight the boldness of midlife, her personal journey is more relevant than ever. What’s her secret ? A combination of honest self-talk, confidence, and a complete rejection of outdated rules around how women “should” behave as they get older.

Living by her own rules

For Carol, traditional expectations hold little weight. A mother of two from her marriage to Patrick King, and later in a five-year relationship with Des Kelly, she’s now unapologetic about her choice to bypass conventional romance and “settling down”.

“I won’t apologise for the way I live my life,” Carol says. Her approach ? Place personal growth, fun and genuine connections front and centre. After experiencing freedom in her twenties, searching for stability in her thirties and weathering emotional upheaval in her forties and fifties, the 60s have brought renewal: Carol describes this period as one of clarity, self-possession and deeper understanding.

“I dress for myself and for my shape, not for anyone else’s opinions,” she’s declared, even when tabloids criticised her for wearing a “short dress” at 39. She shrugs off the “rules” around how older women should look or behave and refuses to apologise for her style choices.

Redefining midlife and facing critics head-on

Carol’s forthrightness hasn’t gone unnoticed. The media have repeatedly highlighted her younger dating life, often using the term “toyboy boyfriend”. Rather than hide or soften this aspect, Carol is bold :

“I won’t apologise.”

She’s tired of restrictive expectations. Why should mature women stop feeling fabulous or become invisible, just because society says so ? Her ambassador role with JD Williams seeks to tackle exactly that. The campaign, fuelled by their study, reveals that 55 % of women believe independence is their biggest source of confidence. Carol’s journey matches that : true strength comes from autonomy and the courage to pursue your own joy.

The struggle wasn’t always straightforward. Carol has spoken candidly about her experience with the menopause, describing a period of “hormonal depression” that eventually led to her “feeling reborn”. This honesty plays a huge part in her desire to be visible and to open conversations around topics still too rarely discussed.

Sparking a generational shift and embracing visibility

A change is definitely in the air. Carol notices increasing support from younger women, who encourage those in midlife to step forward, be seen, and share their stories. She highlights how mother-daughter relationships shift with age, seeing the dynamic become stronger, more equal and more fun as children grow up.

Carol’s lifestyle now revolves around a balanced mix of personal projects, social life and family time. She makes a habit of scheduling joy—planning weekly get-togethers and “making sure I keep up my friendships”, a priority that keeps her energised. Whether it’s returning to TV with Channel 5’s Celebrity Puzzling, or choosing only projects she aligns with, her motto is clear: there’s no going quietly into the background.

The JD Williams campaign doesn’t just want to rebrand “MILF” as “Midlife Is Living Fearlessly”—it’s about helping all women reclaim the narrative, enjoy their bodies and lives, and ditch the pressure to “grow old gracefully”.

The future is fearless for midlife women

The message Carol Vorderman champions is simple but powerful: confidence really can grow with age, as long as you live life by your own rules. In a society slowly shifting towards inclusive, positive representations of women over forty, she’s leading the way.

Will other women follow her lead and create their own midlife renaissance? The world is certainly watching.

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Sources used:

Carol Vorderman, 65, addresses 'toyboy boyfriend, 45' saying 'I won't apologise'

Carol Vorderman, 65, teases 'toyboy boyfriend, 45' saying she won't 'grow old gracefully' - Manchester Evening News