At the Hay Festival in Wales, presenter and activist Katie Piper shared a poignant perspective on aging, likening it to “a bereavement.”
The former model, who underwent extensive surgeries following a 2008 acid attack orchestrated by her ex-boyfriend, discussed her new book, Still Beautiful: On Age, Beauty and Owning Your Space, published this Friday.
Piper, 41, stated: “Women age out of the male gaze. I was ripped from it at 24. I didn’t just become invisible; I became a target for derogatory comments.”
Elaborating on her bereavement analogy, she explained: “Sometimes we know we’re losing something gradually. With aging, we notice changes—our hands, our reflection. Everything shifts.”
The presenter, known for her work on BBC’s Songs of Praise and ITV’s Loose Women, recounted being recently asked if she minded writers mentioning her age.
“It was shocking, yet unsurprising,” she said. “It highlighted how youth and perceived beauty dictate a woman’s power and influence. Now, experiencing the second phase of youth fading, I felt society’s judgment again.”
Piper further explained her motivation for writing the book: “To share where I’ve found myself—not just outside the realm of ‘beauty,’ but when society suggests I’m losing power due to age. Among my peers, I might not be the most beautiful or youngest, but I’m among the most powerful.”
Her book explores a powerful question: “What if aging is the key to shedding societal expectations and truly living as we desire?”
She continued: “It puts you in control of your destiny. That frightens some, because if we’re confident and secure, not chasing unattainable ideals, what can they sell us? What overpriced creams, diets, and gadgets will we buy?”
Piper challenged the glamorization of youth: “We glorify our 20s as the best years. Mine were different, spent in hospitals, but even for the average 20-year-old, it’s a time of mistakes, financial insecurity, and lacking experience and confidence to set boundaries.”
Piper expressed positivity about aging, stating: “Turning 42 in October, I’m still young to some, old to others. But I know who I am. I have a strong sense of self. This is my heyday. I’m excited for what’s next—the 50s, 60s, and beyond.”
Piper, who supports acid attack victims through the Katie Piper Foundation, shared instances of discrimination. One involved men who whistled at her from behind but threw a sandwich when they saw her face (she wore a mask post-treatment). Another was a first date who left her with a £700 restaurant bill.
Despite these experiences, Piper stated: “People are generally good. My early documentary showed me society’s good side. Before, I’d only seen true evil in two people (her attackers).”
Her message to her younger self: “If you’ve ever felt less than, hated yourself, or felt ashamed, it was never you. It was society, consumerism, and capitalism. It benefited someone to hold you down. Whether in a relationship, company, or brand, you were always fine as you are.”
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