Last updated on November 30th, 2025
Featured image: Diana Eden on a recent trip to Portugal, showing us that adventure has no age limit / Photo by Diana Eden
Age shouldn’t stop us from being curious, author says
By Carolyn Ray
When Diana Eden sent me her first article for JourneyWoman in 2020, called “Life Doesn’t End at 80. Neither Does Travel”, I laughed out loud. In it, she told the humorous story of her financial advisor relegating her to a rocking chair on her 80th birthday. “Not me!” she said. “I flat out refuse!” Since then, she has held true to form, showing women that travel over 80 can be adventurous and fun. Her articles about her journeys to Greece, Morocco, Antigua, Bora Bora and close to home in Las Vegas are among the most popular on our entire website.
A three-time Emmy nominee for her costume design work in Hollywood, Diana has designed numerous prime-time television series, movies, pilots, as well as stage productions in Los Angeles and New York. Her so-called retirement and move in 2008 to Las Vegas brough her more costume design for films and stage shows in “the entertainment capital of the world”, a professorship at UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) teaching tomorrow’s filmmakers about costume for film. In 2020, she wrote her first memoir, called “Stars in Their Underwear: My Unpredictable Journey from Broadway Dancer to Costume Designer for some of Hollywood’s Biggest Stars“, featuring stories about George Clooney, Reba McEntire, Diana Ross, and Betty White.
Today, at age 86, Diana has just published her second memoir called “Getting Old and Other Indignities: A Memoir of Aging with Adventure and Style”, a title that again makes me smile. With it, she says she wanted to entertain but also inspire people to approach this third stage of life with curiosity and a sense of adventure. In this, her second memoir, she continues the story as she faces retirement from a glamorous career, the death of her husband Dominic, and her reinvention as a still-working designer, university professor, traveller, and author, sharing with readers that it is possible to come back after loss and create a vibrant life in the later years.
By looking forward to aging, she says, we can shift our own perspective.
“Aging is something we cannot avoid,” Diana says. “While our bodies may start weakening or failing to work at peak performance, our minds can still be ever-curious. We can still travel and expand our understanding of this fascinating world. We are only invisible if we choose to be, and if we do so choose, that is okay too.”
At 85, Eden is a prime example of what is possible, as she continues to inspire students, travel three or four times a year, and write. She occasionally acts in local films and is a lively speaker who has many stories to tell from her colourful past and engaging present.
To purchase the book
Diana’s book is available on November 15, 2025.
To order a copy of Diana’s book, visit Bookshop.org.
“Reading Diana Eden’s second memoir thrilled me. She moves the soul as well as the action, touching hearts and funny bones along the way. Diana’s work is curated from her vast successes in show business, her wins and deep losses in and out of the spotlight. It is rarified territory, and she shares it fully. Enjoy, you lucky readers!” — Linda Berman, screenwriter, producer. Emmy-nominated for “Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story” and Writers Guild Award nominee for “Matters of The Heart”
“Getting Old and Other Indignities: A Memoir of Aging with Adventure and Style” is a heartfelt exploration of the complexities of aging, filled with the author’s signature wit and wisdom. Her shift in perspective-from striving for perfection to embracing ordinary happiness-is a liberating realization that many can relate to. One of the most poignant aspects is her ability to find beauty in vulnerability. She expresses a deep understanding of the inevitability of loss and change while celebrating the moments of joy and connection that life continues to offer. Her willingness to engage with fears and uncertainties, such as the fear of dependency, showcases remarkable strength and courage. Eden encourages us to cherish our connections, embrace our true selves, and find joy in the present moment. What a wonderful perspective to carry forward!” — Antonina Lerch, Costume professional, Entrepreneur
Carolyn Ray
In 2023, Carolyn was named one of the most influential women in travel by TravelPulse for her efforts to advocate for women over 50 in travel. She has been featured in the New York Times, Toronto Star and Conde Nast as a solo travel expert, and speaks at women's travel conferences around the world. In 2025, she received her second SATW travel writing award and published her first book "Never Too Late: How Women 50+ Travellers Are Making the Rules" with co-author Lola Akinmade. She leads JourneyWoman's team of writers and chairs the JourneyWoman Women's Advisory Council, JourneyWoman Awards for Women 50+ and the Women's Speaker's Bureau. She is the chair of the Canadian chapter of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), a member of Women Travel Leaders and a Herald for the Transformational Travel Council (TTC). Sometimes she sleeps. A bit.
0 Comments
We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know.
Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected].