‘I’m still in my bikini at 68!’
Over 40 years since she bought her two-piece, Suzy Monty is still looking fabulous
Pulling on my pink sparkly size 10 string bikini to wear on my local Cornish beaches, I still find it hard to believe I’ve had it for 40-odd years.
I bought it from an independent boutique in Truro, for £15, which was expensive in those days – and, I’m thrilled to say, all these years on, I can still fit in it!
Not that I’m the only sixtysomething still happy to wear a skimpy two-piece....
When my husband John, 72, and I saw best’s exclusive with the lovely Linda Lusardi, 60, who looked incredible in her sparkly bikini 31 years after the iconic picture was in the papers, we couldn’t believe how good she looked.
It made me proud seeing those images – and I believe we’re both flying the flag for older women.
I first got into modelling by chance in 1961 when I was 10. I won a local catwalk competition and loved every minute of it. Not only was it fun, but it was empowering, too – and good
for my confidence. Then, in March 1973, I met John at a disco above a multi-storey carpark in Bournemouth. He was kind, funny and charming. Two weeks later, he proposed, and we married in September of that year. I began working as a secretary. But with John’s support, I entered a few local beauty contests for fun. I enjoyed getting dolled up and wearing gorgeous ballgowns. It was through that that I became a model. Over the years, I did catwalks, catalogues and promotions, modelling anything from thermal underwear to Rolls Royce cars! I was incredibly lucky. John was proud of me.
I had to take a few breaks to look after my health after suffering a bout of glandular fever aged 40. Later, when I was 60, I had my gall bladder out and a tumour removed from under my ribs.
‘I’ll probably never model again,’ I said to John, even though I didn’t want to give it up. Fortunately, with a lot of rest and recuperation, I was able to get back on shoots, which was a real honour. I even sent some bikini shots to a mature model agency and I’m now on their books.
I often have women sending me messages thanking me for what I do. Many have said it’s wonderful to see older women flying the flag for us ladies, as, often, we can feel invisible as we age. I believe that everyone is beautiful whatever their size, age and shape.
I’ve been blessed with good genes, but I keep fit by taking long coastal walks with our dog, Venus. I eat healthily, too.
I’ve never had plastic surgery and I can still fit into lots of the clothes I modelled in my twenties. I hope I’ll be modelling for years to come!