Glenn Close rubbishes claims over-60s aren’t interested in hanky panky

Glenn Close says it’s a “great myth” that women lose their sexuality as they get older.

Breaking down those asexual stereotypes, the 71-year-old actress — who has been married and divorced four times — has insisted she feels as “free” and “sexual” as she ever has.

Speaking candidly to The Guardian, she admitted: “I feel as free and as creative, as sexual and as eager, as I ever have. And it’s ironic because I’m thinking ‘How much time do I have left now?’.”

Glenn has been tipped for an Oscar for her role in drama The Wife, and revealed the sex scene with co-star Jonathan Pryce, 71, was the first thing the pair shot on the film. Glenn plays Joan Castleman, a devoted wife to Joe Castleman (Pryce) who has sacrificed 40 years of her life to support her husband’s professional aspirations as an author.

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Speaking about the common misconception that those over the age of 50 aren’t interested in sex anymore, Glenn said: “It’s one of the great myths that you lose your sexuality as you get older.”

The Fatal Attraction star isn’t the first over-60 celeb to speak out about sex later in life. Jane Fonda, 81, told The Daily Telegraph in 2018 that age should not slow a busy sex life.

“I certainly don’t want anybody to feel guilty if they’ve closed up shop. Nor should you feel, though, that just because you are of a certain age you have to stop being juicy,” she said.

Despite the fact millions of couples enjoy happy (and intimate) relationships right into their eighties and older, there’s a distinct lack of communication about sex lives even existing past middle-age. In fact, there’s a bizarre stereotype of older people being ‘asexual’.

Read more: How saucy Baby Boomers are busting the ‘asexual oldie’ stereotype

However, 2018 research from Swinburne University of Technology finally challenged the myth by focusing on over-45s’ sex lives and their thoughts on both sexuality and intimacy.

The Over 45’s Adult Sexuality and Intimacy Study (The OASIS) found that mid- and later-life Australians are enjoying sexuality still, but rather than craving frequent physically sexual encounters, they’re more interested in quality connections and intimacy – proving there’s no need to have regular intercourse to be ‘sexually active’.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think sexuality changes with age?