The Age Of Happiness
An inspiring photographer has gained thousands of Facebook followers by proving age doesn't limit you.
The Age Of Happiness is the brainchild of Vladimir Yakovlev, and aims to "change your perception of life after 70, 80 or even 100".
From senior skateboarders to wrinkly runners, the Facebook Page regularly posts new photographs of extraordinary old people and their stories.
'The Age Of Happiness' Photo Project Proves Age Is What You Make Of It
(01 of06)
Fauja Singh, 100, record holder marathon runner, UK. Broke the world record for marathon running in the 90+ age bracket, and became the face of Adidas. (credit:Rex)
(02 of06)
Ruth Flowers was 58 years old when her husband died. It happened unexpectedly, literally in a day. The day before, Ruth was fully satisfied with her retired life with her husband in a resort town on the coast of Portugal. But one day later, that was it. The cozy house with the swimming pool and the habitual way of life only reminded her of her loss.Ruth Flowers had lived with her husband nearly 40 years. Her world collapsed with his death. Everything that awaited her in the future was the same as for thousands of other widows - a quiet old age filled with reminiscences of the past.Instead of that, Ruth Flowers decided to become a club DJ. (credit:Vladimir Yakovlev/Rex)
(03 of06)
Robert Marchand celebrated his 100th birthday on a cycle track. On that anniversary, he rode 23.2 kilometers in 60 minutes. And in three months, he broke his own record, riding 24.25 kilometers without even running out of breath. “I could have gone faster,” admitted Robert, having crossed the finish. “But I didn’t want to push my pulse off the charts.” Because of Marchand, the International Cycling Union has had to create a new competition category: Master 100 Years. (credit:Vladimir Yakovlev/Rex)
(04 of06)
Duan Tzinfu saved his own life by accident. One fine day, he was walking in Tiantan, a Beijing city park, when he saw a group of people who were exercising with enviable enthusiasm.Tzinfu was impressed by how flexible the exercisers were. These were people much older than him who did the splits with ease. Duan couldn't even bend over without a big sigh.If it weren’t for this chance meeting, Duan Tzinfu would probably not be alive today. After 50 years of working at a glass factory, his health was shattered to bits. Duan could barely walk, and his lungs – damaged by glass dust – barely functioned. (credit:Vladimir Yakovlev/Rex)
(05 of06)
John Lowe, 90 years old, ballet dancer (credit:Vladimir Yakovlev/Rex)
(06 of06)
At 65, Lloyd Kahn decided that the time had come for him to try skateboarding. He stood up on a board (for the first time in his life), fell immediately, and hurt his hand. From that experience, he concluded that he should wear full protective gear: knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet, wrist guards.But, he continued skateboarding. Now, at 78, Lloyd spends nearly every day zooming around his seaside town of Bolinas on his board. He picks streets that have long, gradual descends, and, with gentle turns, skates down them. (credit:Vladimir Yakovlev/Rex)
You can see more from the project on their Facebook Page.
9 Celebrities That Just Keep Getting Better With Age
Nicolas Cage, 50(01 of09)
Boy, has time been good to Nic Cage or what? A little too good, some might say. A few years back rumors swirled that the actor was actually a ... vampire! An antiques dealer posted this photo of Cage's Civil War-era doppelgänger and the internet was awash with rumors.
Cage even addressed the rumor, but didn't deny the uncanny resemblance. "There's a photograph of me and you can't take pictures of vampires," Cage told David Letterman. "Now look, I don't drink blood and the last time I looked in the mirror I had a reflection." Vampire or not, we're just glad he's keeping that chest hair tamed. (credit:Getty )
Cage even addressed the rumor, but didn't deny the uncanny resemblance. "There's a photograph of me and you can't take pictures of vampires," Cage told David Letterman. "Now look, I don't drink blood and the last time I looked in the mirror I had a reflection." Vampire or not, we're just glad he's keeping that chest hair tamed. (credit:Getty )
Sandra Bullock, 50 in July(02 of09)
She was stunning then and we didn't think it was possible for her to be any prettier! The Oscar winner will welcome 50 looking the best she's ever looked, we think.
She's had something of a style and career Renaissance these past few years. Sandra became a red-carpet favorite with her Oscars dress (and win) in 2010 and she's kept surprising us with her glamorous evolution ever since. She's also enjoying being a new mother to son Louis, who she adopted in 2010. (credit:Getty )
She's had something of a style and career Renaissance these past few years. Sandra became a red-carpet favorite with her Oscars dress (and win) in 2010 and she's kept surprising us with her glamorous evolution ever since. She's also enjoying being a new mother to son Louis, who she adopted in 2010. (credit:Getty )
Keanu Reeves, 50 in September(03 of09)
Like his "Speed" co-star, Keanu hasn't aged a day since the days of the high-octane film that launched him to stardom. Yes, he has a baby face, but we truly want to know what fountain of youth he's stumbled upon. P.S. we're digging the scruff, Kea. (credit:Getty)
Elle Macpherson, 50(04 of09)
Seriously, how does she do it? Over 20 years since she reached supermodel status and the moniker "The Body," Elle, well, still has it. She's still got her enviable figure and you can find her designing (and modeling, naturally) for her own line of intimates.
"I don't believe that youth equals beauty or beauty equals youth. How I feel, how well I am is more important to me... I rather like the idea of flowing on with life. I have had amazing life experiences and hopefully another 50 years of experiences ahead of me," Macpherson told Contact Music. (credit:Getty )
"I don't believe that youth equals beauty or beauty equals youth. How I feel, how well I am is more important to me... I rather like the idea of flowing on with life. I have had amazing life experiences and hopefully another 50 years of experiences ahead of me," Macpherson told Contact Music. (credit:Getty )
Jodie Foster, 51(05 of09)
She's still rocking the same haircut from all those years ago when we knew her as Clarice Starling. The child star has shied from the spotlight, but has become more visible in recent years, ever since coming out at the Golden Globes last year.
We think we know why she's simply glowing these days... after a year of dating, Foster and her partner, Alexandra Hedison, tied the knot just last week. Congratulations! (credit:Getty )
We think we know why she's simply glowing these days... after a year of dating, Foster and her partner, Alexandra Hedison, tied the knot just last week. Congratulations! (credit:Getty )
George Clooney, 53(06 of09)
Speaking of wedding bells, our favorite eternal bachelor dropped some huge news on the world last week. Clooney has finally said goodbye to his single life and is engaged to Amal Alamuddin.
We're going to consider this a major improvement. Better late than never right?
He'll always be Dr. Kolmar in our hearts but he's still every inch as handsome as he was back in his "E.R." days. He's still got that fabulous head of hair and we think it looks even better with some gray. Amal is one lucky woman. (credit:Getty)
We're going to consider this a major improvement. Better late than never right?
He'll always be Dr. Kolmar in our hearts but he's still every inch as handsome as he was back in his "E.R." days. He's still got that fabulous head of hair and we think it looks even better with some gray. Amal is one lucky woman. (credit:Getty)
Brad Pitt, 50 (07 of09)
One of the things we love most about Brad is his style chameleon quality. Countless times over the years he's experimented with his facial hair, his clothing, and especially his hair. (Yes, he even looks good in a ponytail) But seriously, we can't tell the difference between Brad in his 30s vs Brad today. (credit:Getty )
Alec Baldwin, 56(08 of09)
What can we say, Alec Baldwin is on fire these days -- and no, we're not just talking about his temperament. The star just finished a successful stint on the NBC's hit show "30 Rock," has several projects in the works, and his personal life is even better. Baldwin married yoga instructor, Hilaria, in 2012 and welcome daughter, Carmen, into the world last year. We're loving that Alec is still rocking the same 'do he had back in the day and looking just as youthful. Maybe his wife keeps him young? (credit:Getty )
Christie Brinkley, 60(09 of09)
Oh, Christie. We're so glad you ditched the dark lipstick and that hairdo! While she was always gorgeous, the supermodel is positively radiant these days. For her 60th birthday, she donned a swimsuit on the cover of People Magazine, nearly 35 years since she first appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. At this rate, we wouldn't be surprised if she continues rocking a swimsuit well into her 70s. (credit:Getty)