Minnie Driver, 50, says that women like her and JLo are branded 'shriveled husks' by society - but insists they get more powerful after the menopause

  • The English actor, 50, had tweeted her frustration with society's view of ageing 
  • She said J-Lo's Superbowl performance this weekend proved women at 50 are stronger than ever, far from being 'diminished' by age 
  • Speaking to Evan Davis on Radio 4's PM Show, the star said she thought men are terrified of post-menopausal women because their testosterone levels rise

Hollywood star Minnie Driver says men are 'terrified' of older women because they become more powerful post-menopause. 

The actor, who celebrated her 50th birthday on January 31st, told the Radio 4 PM show that she was sick of society dictating to women how they should act, feel and dress at a certain age. 

She likened J-Lo's powerful display during half-time at the Superbowl to a 'sexy firework' and told the broadcaster that far from being 'shrivelled husks', women often shine 'brighter' with advancing years. 

On Tuesday, the Good Will Hunting star tweeted her frustration at how ageing women are viewed. She wrote: 'Sick of this "50 is the new..." 50 has always been 50. Women were previously just expected to shrivel and accept their husk.' 

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Hollywood star Minnie Driver (pictured last month in Beverly Hills) says men are 'terrified' of older women because they become more powerful post-menopause

Hollywood star Minnie Driver (pictured last month in Beverly Hills) says men are 'terrified' of older women because they become more powerful post-menopause

On Tuesday, the Good Will Hunting star tweeted her frustration at how ageing women are viewed (pictured)

On Tuesday, the Good Will Hunting star tweeted her frustration at how ageing women are viewed (pictured)

The actress likened J-Lo's powerful display (above) during half-time at the Superbowl to a 'sexy firework' and said that far from being 'shrivelled husks', women often shine 'brighter' with advancing years

The actress likened J-Lo's powerful display (above) during half-time at the Superbowl to a 'sexy firework' and said that far from being 'shrivelled husks', women often shine 'brighter' with advancing years

She added: 'I suppose it must be terrifying to a lot men if we actually burned brighter, hotter, more ambitious and emancipated from shame, the older we got.'

Appearing today's Radio 4 debate show hosted by Evan Davis, alongside Baroness Joan Bakewell, she told the presenter that she was fed up with how the milestone birthday is perceived.  

She said: 'Nothing drops off your body when you turn 50. There is just a social construct that it is somehow perceived as old, because there's probably more road behind you than there might be ahead of you.' 

She said J-Lo had illustrated her point 'beautifully, like a sexy firework' who 'exploded the myth that you can be anything other you want to be.'  

Driver with her filmmaker partner Addison O'Dea at the Los Angeles Premiere of the new HBO Series Avenue 5 on January 14, 2020

Driver with her filmmaker partner Addison O'Dea at the Los Angeles Premiere of the new HBO Series Avenue 5 on January 14, 2020

Driver also balked at Davis' suggestion that women might not be as sexual once they've been through the menopause, saying: 'Women are clearly profoundly sexual post-menopause.

'I think it's threatening to men - the testosterone levels in women start to rise after menopause as it decreases in men. 

'Women are coming into their power and it is not for the faint of heart from everything that I've heard. 

'But nothing about being a woman is for the faint of heart. We're bloody warriors.'

She added: 'I think the idea of diminishment is what has changed, we are only ignited and get stronger. I'm just beginning to realise women get stronger as they get older. I know plenty of women who are robust, who are extraordinary 50-year-olds.'

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