Jewish women and ageing

[Clytemnestra2]

I know there’s no such thing as a typical Jewish women, and that one Jewish woman can obviously look very different to another but.... do Jewish women (on the whole) often look a lot younger than their actual age? I’m probably talking about those with East European Ashkenazi heritage.

For example Nigella Lawson is 60, Winona Ryder is 48 and Natalie Portman is 38. In my eyes all of them look significantly younger than most women their age. Even once you’ve adjusted for the fact they’re celebrities and obviously have to make more effort with their appearance that the average non-famous woman.

And from my own personal perspective, I’m from this background and have consistently been mistaken for 10 years younger than my real age throughout my life. Not meant in a boastful way at all - eg I spent my 20s getting ID’d at pubs & clubs and then my 30s not being taken seriously at work as everyone assumed I was only just out of uni. Plus I definitely don’t have the good looks of Natalie, Winona etc!

[GrimDamnFanjo]

I would suggest that all the women you mention have had a fair bit of work done!
There is some truth that genes do play a part in the ageing process though.

[JaneJeffer]

I was just looking at a Roseanne Barr video which came up on YouTube earlier and thinking how well she looks. I don't think she's had work done.

[Destroyedpeople]

Well i don't know my friend who is Jewish looks really wrinkled from a lifetime of lying in the sun, smoking fags and chasing the dragon.

[FlashesOfRage]

My Ashkenazi MIL is 74 and looks mid 60’s, I’d say the chaps in the family fared much less well 😅 She’s very stylish, she has a unique style and always puts in an effort to look smart.

My Ashkenazi Uncle is 78 and still looks very good for his age, maybe early 70’s.
His two daughters (50% akj) are both mid to late 40’s and look amazing for their age, can I guarantee that they got it from their Jewish genes rather than the old English genes from my side of the family? Who knows really 😊

[LaureBerthaud]

@JaneJeffer - Roseanne Barr has been very open about her face lift.

[JaneJeffer]

Ah that explains it then. Good surgeon

[DamnYankee]

I have read that neither Winona or Natalie drink...and were probably not long-distance runners, surf champions, or exposed to a lot of sun [sigh].
Killer cheekbones don't hurt...they kind of "tack" everything up.

[1ForAllnAllFor1]

Actually I know a few who have aged terribly. I think it’s your lucky genes only not your race

[CuppaZa]

Genetics and lifestyle. Nothing more.

[eaglejulesk]

People are shocked when they find out my age, and always have been. I'm nothing to look at but I do look much younger than I am - and I'm not Jewish. Agree it's just lucky genes.

[Destroyedpeople]

I am not sure that being Jewish is your 'race' but correct me if I am wrong.

[1ForAllnAllFor1]

I’m probably talking about those with East European Ashkenazi heritage.

That is talking about a specific genetic pool me things, defined by specific ethnic background, otherwise known as a race.

Destroyedpeople

[BigWholeBean]

It’s our chicken soup

[7to25]

It's the long telomeres of the Ashkenazi Jews.

[Destroyedpeople]

@1ForAllnAllFor1..silly me I thought 'human' was our race

[FVFrog]

I have one friend who is off this heritage, she doesn’t drink alcohol, but Instill swear she has the secret elixir of youth! She must be late 50s and she has not aged one bit in the 15 years I have known her. She died her hair (very black and has done since she went prematurely grey on her 20s,) but that is it

[AnnaJKing]

I’m of that background and have always looked much younger than I am. I’ve got hEDS though, which helps!

[MehMehMeow]

I think it’s partly genes, partly good skincare or at least using sunscreen. My Eastern European great grandmothers second husband was Jewish, and had two kids; their branch of the family certainly looks their age if not older (my great grandmother only died 3 years ago). Twice a younger cousin was mistaken for being my mother. Our branch (from the older two non Jewish side) is younger looking. Until I was 34 I was still getting ID’d, and even now I often get people picking me for 10 or 12 years younger. It’s a similar story to my sisters. My mother looks a little younger but she’s had a lifetime of being a heavy smoker.

[TheNavigator]

Didn't Nigella get snapped wearing that burkini thing at a beach? I mean, if you are going to go to those lengths to avoid sun exposure I suppose you will dodge a few wrinkles. It seems a pretty high price to not feel the warm sun on your skin and bathe unfettered in the sea - I'd rather have the lines.

[candilemon]

I think that was when Nigella was pretty overweight.

[Ratonastick]

I’ve got that background and, at 51, am holding up well. A bit of Botox to take out my 11s (already prominent in childhood photos) but otherwise pretty wrinkle free. I’ve always put it down to horrendously greasy oily skin, particularly when I was younger. Don’t know if that is genetic history or not.

One thing I can say with certainty is that my lack of wrinkles is definitely nothing to do with teetotalism..........

[Mucklowe]

We live FOREVER too. I have relatives who are in their late 90s and even 100s. Survival instinct? Genes?

[Flyinggeese]

Destroyedpeople I can't tell if you're kidding or not. Are you just thinking of the phrase 'human race'? 'Race' is not all humans! : )

[Zinnia]

My Ashkenazi SIL looks significantly younger than her mid-50s years, but I always attribute this to her lifetime of not smoking/ barely ever drinking. Lots of Jewish people don't really drink (there are a number of jokes about this). That's one stereotype anyway.

Mind you my DH also looks at least 5 years younger than he is (late 40s) and he smoked throughout his 20s and drinks about the same as any middle class 40something bloke so I guess it's mainly (immediate familial) genes. FWIW their mum didn't start going grey until her 80s!

I have met one of the celebs in the OP on more than one occasion and yes, work has surely been done. She is beautiful though.