Have a Lot of Sex

On a Virgin America flight heading back to LA from NY, I met this quirky woman standing at the back of the plane. She didn’t need to use the bathroom. She wanted to talk…to anyone. Having nothing else to do on a cross country flight, I was happy to oblige.

Hattie loves to talk about sex. She’s written a few books – “published,” she interjects, though when I look them up I find that they’re all self-published. They’re available for purchase on Amazon.com. She’s got a website, and a 35-year-old boyfriend who I imagine has more difficulty keeping up with her than the other way around. Her books, her website, and her boyfriend all feed into her philosophy of staying young. One of her books is called “Retroage: 4 Steps to a Younger YOU!” Her website claims she “turned aging from being a depressing downward spiral into a joyous, youth-filled adventure.” And her boyfriend is her trophy to show the world and herself how age hasn’t stopped her from enjoying life. Although a bit over the top, she does seem truthful. Clearly desperate for attention, she went topless on Howard Stern for one of his on-air stunts. But, maybe there’s more to it than what’s on the surface. On one hand, she’s a shameless self-promoter trying to hawk her books and her courses. On the other hand, she’s still a senior citizen who’s done a really good job at keeping herself busy at a time when most are slowing down. Her energy speaks for itself. She tells me she has “a lot of sex,” as well as works out every day, eats organically, and is a vegetarian. When we met, she was on her way to LA for a boot camp in how to lecture to college-aged people. She wants to teach the world how to “take on” aging. Maybe she's on to something.

Hattie, age 73.