Brooke Shields and I have always been in parallel orbits. When she released her memoir on post-partum depression, I was navigating the same waters, live-blogging my own experiences. Now, with her latest book, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old, she’s examining the complexities of midlife with its bittersweet empty-nest mornings and newfound clarity and don’t-give-a-fuck-ness. Her courage, honesty, and humor feel like a mirror reflecting so many of our own journeys.
This book is both deeply personal and strikingly universal—a fearless unpacking of what it means to age in a world that clings to youth, interspersed with moments of reflection, cultural commentary, and those "mind-blowing societal contradictions" that make us all roll our eyes. Shields' lived experiences, with the intense spotlight of celebrity, become a powerful lens to examine aging’s double standards.
Beyond Wrinkles and Grays
Shields takes us behind the velvet rope into a chapter of life often seen as an "invisible era" for women, especially for those of us no longer chasing validation from external sources. She resists societal standards and professions that render us invisible, celebrating the wisdom and humor we accumulate along the way. (How many of us have encountered unsolicited "advice" from a stranger—offering fixes we didn’t ask for?).
Shields doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Her stories of struggling with post-partum depression, menopause, and the absurdities of age-related "advice" from professionals (not to mentioned the surgical “bonus” she received against her will) touch raw nerves. Some of what she shares is enraging, but this book is mostly inspirational. She urges us to see midlife as a season of permission—finally granting ourselves permission to focus on our wants, needs, and unapologetic joys. Like us, she feels that we can be a little selfish in this season and put our needs on the agenda.
The Power of Reclaiming Aging
One of the book’s most moving themes is the reframing of aging as a season of empowerment rather than decline. Shields admits to early insecurities that will resonate with so many midlife women. But now—like many of us are starting to do—she’s found confidence, clarity, and a dash of rebellion. Years spent pouring energy into family, work, and everyone else have created a blank canvas for rediscovery in midlife. Shields’ words inspire us to pick up our brushes and paint the life we want.
Laughing in the Face of Bias
Shields approaches the societal obsession with youthful beauty with humor and defiance. Want to erase our grays and fine lines? Sorry, but we’re keeping them, thank you very much. She doesn’t judge those who fight age, but personally does not want the world that monitored her face and body since she was a child to have any influence on her appearance. Her rallying cry encourages women to see beauty in what makes us unique and seasoned, and to wear laugh lines like badges of honor. She gives readers permission to thrive and age on our own terms.
Why This Story Matters
For midlife women feeling overlooked, misunderstood, or boxed in by societal constraints, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old is empowering. If one of the most beautiful women in the world is subject to this dynamic, then we are not alone. Her book blends humor, data, and truth-telling in refreshing ways. (You will likely want to read some of the books she cites.) You’ll be informed, feel seen, and will also get a dollop of celebrity gossip we all secretly love. We give this book 5/5 stars. Add it to your midlife reading list.
