It’s 2024 and numbers of articles have discussed prominent individuals who died last year.  Our response to their obituaries was often—huh…they were still alive??  Obits often leave the “interesting” stuff unsaid.

Let’s start with politics.  Lost some special women:  Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who raised eyebrows for attending cabinet meetings and White House briefings.  Go, girls!

Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida was often described as the most beautiful woman in the world.  Americans were first introduced to her when she starred in the English-language film, Beat the Devil, in1953.  Two years ago, at 95, she ran for a Senate seat in Italy’s parliament for a second time and lost again.  Hmmm…does that put age and politics in a new perspective? 

Oscar-winning actress Glenda Jackson left acting to enter British politics.  After serving as an MP for more than 20 years, she retired in 2015 at age 79 and returned to acting, playing a 104-year-old in a BBC Radio production of Emile Zola’s Blood Sex and Money.  On radio.  She only had to sound old.

Needless to say, obits for President Nixon’s Secretary of State Henry Kissinger did not describe him as the “ultimate starf*cker,” sex symbol, and ladies’ man as did the Hollywood Reporter.  Kissinger???  The list of stars with whom he reportedly had been romantically linked is amazing.  Guess he was right when he said “power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”  Honestly, it sure wasn’t his looks.

Daniel Ellsberg changed the world when he leaked the Pentagon Papers that laid out how the government was misleading the public about the Vietnam War.  President Nixon attempted to destroy him.  Things didn’t go well for Nixon.  He resigned after his Watergate antics were uncovered.  Ellsberg died a hero.  He was eulogized in the 2003 TV movie The Pentagon Papers.  Actor Alan Arkin, who also died last year, played Ellsberg’s boss in the movie. 

And, now, let’s look at the individuals who were advocates for important causes.

In her book, I, Tina, the “Queen of Rock and Roll” Tina Turner wrote about the abuse she suffered while married to her husband and singing partner Ike at a time when domestic abuse wasn’t talked about openly.  She was hailed for ending the shame associated with abusive relationships and motivating other survivors to share their stories and leave their spouses.  There is some irony to her story.

After she divorced Ike, her careen spiraled downward.  Then a British band invited her to cut a new take on Al Green’s classic hit “Let’s Stay Together.”  A line in the song is: “Why, oh tell me, why do people break up?”  Huh???  She knew that answer!  Happily, the song captured the attention of Capital Records and boosted her career.

Harry Belafonte death last year ended the life of one of the most influential Black figures of the 1950s.  He used his star power to fight for civil rights. 

The Price is Right host, Bob Barker, was an avid animal rights advocate.  His concern was the millions of pets being euthanized because of a lack of homes for them.  He founded an organization that provided free or inexpensive sterilization of cats and dogs and poured $25 million into the charity.  We do especially like one of his fun lines: “I can tell you that I’d rather be kissed by my dogs than by some people I’ve known.” 

Can’t resist adding a few entertaining stories.  A publicity shot of Raquel Welch in a fur hide bikini for the movie One Million Years, B.C. turned her into a sex symbol.  However, she lamented that being a sex symbol was “rather like being a convict.”  She got even.  She kicked men in the groin in 15 of her films. 

Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, died serving a life sentence for sending bombs through the mail for 18 years.  He was concerned about the environment and the effects of technology and wanted to destroy modern life.  Ironically, when he was arrested, officers found trash everywhere in and around his Montana cabin where he was hiding.  So much for the environment!  Fun fact.  His cabin is on display at FBI headquarters.  Not the trash.

So, our Wrinkled Wisdom for today?  Enjoy Turner’s take on aging.  “Fifty is the new 30.  Seventy is the new 50.  There are no rules that say you have to dress a certain way, or be a certain way.  If you look good and you can still do it, then go and do it.”  Tony Bennett obviously got that message.  He celebrated his 95^th birthday performing in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall followed by a TV special with Lady Gaga.  It’s never too late to add to that bucket list.