Dame Helen’s top tips for a happy life: Don’t rush into marriage (or confuse sex with love)
SHE has spent more than five decades in one of the most ruthless industries in the world.
And now Helen Mirren is passing on some of the wisdom she has learnt on the way to becoming a global star.
The 71-year-old actress gave a list of ‘dos and don’ts’ at a graduation ceremony at Tulane University in New Orleans where she received an honorary degree.
The Oscar-winner began her speech with a joke, saying: ‘Today’s speech will contain advice for any of you born in England who decide to become Shakespearean actresses, and end up doing nude scenes in ten films.
‘I mentioned that just to see if any of your fathers are getting out their cell phones now to Google me. Put it away. I mean the phone!’
She continued that she was ‘going to share a few rules that I’ve picked up during my life of disasters and triumphs,’ which she called ‘Helen’s top rules for a happy life’.
Dame Helen, who has been married to film director Taylor Hackford for 20 years, warned the youngsters not to rush into marriage. She said: ‘I married Taylor a lot later in my life and it’s worked out great. And always give your partner the freedom and support to achieve their ambitions.’ She added: ‘Don’t confuse sex with love. Love generally lasts longer than two minutes.’
The actress also said not to give in to self-doubt, saying: ‘For the moments when you are challenged by other fears – like “Am I good enough?” – throw caution to the winds, look fear straightaway in its ugly face, and barge forward.’ And on what advice she could give that would be relevant in 40 years time, she quipped: ‘Whether you’re in the French Quarter or the Oval Office, no good can ever come from tweeting at 3am.’
But despite her tips, it seems that Dame Helen has not always managed to stick to her own rules. Although she warned the graduates not to smoke, the Prime Suspect star has also confessed that she used to smoke marijuana.