late bloomer, n.
1. An adult whose talent or genius in a particular field only appears later in life than is normal—in some cases only in old age. [Wikipedia]
2. A person who doesn’t give a pomegranate about what’s normal and blooms in their own time; see LaterBloomer.com. [Debra Eve]
Ernestine Shepherd became a professional bodybuilder at 71
Welcome to Later Bloomer
A Captivating Archive of Lives Well-Lived
Henri Rousseau: This Late-Blooming Painter Famous for Exotic Landscapes Never Left Europe
After decades as a customs inspector, Henri Rousseau picked up a brush and taught himself to paint at age 40. He submitted his work to the official Salon, but they rejected him for lack of skill. Rousseau refused to give up.
Richard Adams: England can Thank the Late-Blooming Author of Watership Down for Cleaner Air
Richard Adams created Watership Down to entertain his two daughters on a long road trip. At age 52, it made him a literary sensation.
This Late Bloomer’s Animated Musical Rocks!
Steve’s Quest is a rock opera that follows Steve, a young software engineer who struggles with work, love, and getting a science fiction novel published. And it’s written by a late bloomer!
Inspiring Hope One Story at a Time
Hope is the thing with feathers / that perches in the soul / and sings the tune without the words / and never stops at all. ~Emily Dickinson
Three Ageless Athletes and A Confession
“I could have gone faster but I didn’t want to. I’m not playing at being a champion.” A 100-year-old cyclist and two nonagenarian yoginis define what really matters.
Twelve Late-Blooming Athletes To Get You Going
Twelve people who found their inner athlete after age 50, including a boxer, a kayaker, marathoners, bodybuilders, and yoginis (oh my!).
Later Bloomer is currently on hiatus. Please enjoy the archives!
There is nothing in the caterpillar that tells you it’s going to be a butterfly.
—Buckminster Fuller,
who patented the Geodesic Dome at age 50