Lesbian Celebs Who Came Out After 40

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It’s actually quite common for people to come out as LGBTQ+ later in life, and many well-known women have shared their stories after the age of 40. Some announced it publicly, while others revealed a partner or spoke about relationships they’d kept secret for years. Each of these moments, happening at different times in their lives, allowed fans to connect with them on a deeper level and brought more attention to the experiences of women coming out later in life. Here are some notable celebrities who did just that, on their own terms and when they were ready.

Jodie Foster

In 2013, at age 50, Jodie Foster publicly came out as gay during her Golden Globes acceptance speech. She spoke about a past relationship and expressed gratitude to her loved ones for their support. She later married photographer Alexandra Hedison. This announcement received significant media attention and represented a shift in how Foster handled her personal life and privacy.

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts began publicly sharing her relationship with Amber Laign in 2013, when she was 53 years old. She wrote about her journey to health and how grateful she was, especially for Amber’s support. Roberts had previously kept her personal life private while dealing with significant health issues. The couple later married, and her openness touched many viewers who had watched her on television for years.

Meredith Baxter

Meredith Baxter publicly shared she was a lesbian in 2009, when she was 62 years old. She explained that it took her a long time to understand her sexuality, coming to this realization after a lot of thought. Baxter spoke about her previous marriages and how they helped her understand who she was. She later married Nancy Locke, a writer and contractor.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes publicly shared she was married to her wife, Alex Niedbalski, in 2008 while speaking at a rally in support of marriage equality. She later talked about her family, including their twins. By being open about her personal life, Sykes connected her comedy with her work as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Let me tell you, Niecy Nash really shook things up in 2020! At 50, she revealed she’d married musician Jessica Betts, and it felt so genuine. She simply said she followed her heart and shared beautiful photos from their wedding. What really struck me was how she talked about their relationship growing from a deep friendship. Since then, she’s been wonderfully open about love and living authentically, and it’s truly inspiring to watch.

Rebel Wilson

In 2022, Rebel Wilson, at age 42, publicly introduced her girlfriend, Ramona Agruma, sharing a photo and expressing her happiness in finding love with a woman. Later that same year, the couple had a daughter through surrogacy. Wilson has discussed how personal changes in her life led to her openly sharing their relationship.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin and writer-producer Jane Wagner were together for many years before publicly confirming their relationship in the early 2000s, when Tomlin was in her 60s. They had worked together professionally for decades and were able to legally marry in 2013 when same-sex marriage became legal. Tomlin often speaks about how important Wagner has been to her both personally and in her career.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor first revealed her relationship with Sarah Paulson in 2015, when she was 72 years old. After keeping her personal life private for much of her career, she felt comfortable becoming more open. The couple’s relationship gained public attention through interviews and on social media. Taylor’s willingness to share sparked discussions about age differences, privacy, and love within the entertainment industry.

Maria Bello

In 2013, Maria Bello wrote about falling in love with a woman when she was 46 years old. She explored the meaning of labels, what family means, and how her son supported her being truthful about her relationship. Later, she revealed she was engaged to chef Dominique Crenn. Bello’s openness sparked important discussions about love and identity.

Kelly McGillis

I was so happy to hear Kelly McGillis talk openly about her life back in 2009. She was 51 at the time, and it was really brave of her to share that she’d found love with Melanie Leis, who she’d been with for a while. She said it felt like a huge weight lifted, and honestly, it was amazing to see her be so honest. It’s cool how she’s been able to share this part of her life with everyone, and it’s made me appreciate her even more as a person, not just as an actress.

Samantha Fox

Pop singer Samantha Fox publicly acknowledged her relationship with her manager, Myra Stratton, in 2009 when she was 43 years old. She often spoke about their many years together and the strong support they gave each other. Following Stratton’s death, Fox continued to remember and honor her partner through interviews and performances, giving her fans a glimpse into her personal life.

Stacy London

In 2019, fashion expert Stacy London publicly shared that she was dating musician Cat Yezbak. At 50 years old, this was her first serious relationship with a woman. London discussed the news while also talking about personal privacy and growth, and it was met with positive support from those who had followed her work in fashion.

Queen Latifah

In 2021, at age 51, Queen Latifah publicly shared details about her family and partner during an acceptance speech on television. She expressed her love and appreciation and wished everyone a happy Pride Month. Many people saw this as her first public confirmation of her relationship after years of keeping her personal life private, and fans were happy to see her acknowledge her partner by name.

Patricia Velásquez

Patricia Velásquez, an actress and model, publicly shared in 2015 that she had romantic relationships with women. In a memoir published when she was 44, she described her journey of self-acceptance and coming to terms with her identity, including experiences she hadn’t felt comfortable sharing earlier in her life. The book explained how she came to live openly and honestly, and resonated with many of her fans who knew her from her work in fashion and movies.

Sally Ride

When astronaut Sally Ride passed away in 2012, her obituary revealed she had been in a relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy for 27 years. This made her the first known LGBTQ+ individual to travel to space. Ride and O’Shaughnessy had previously co-founded an organization that continued its educational work after Ride’s death, adding an important layer to her lasting impact on science and education.

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2025-11-13 22:45