She’s more successful in her 70s than many are in an entire lifetime — what is Valerie Ramsey’s secret?

The quick answer is: belief in herself. 

On her 72nd birthday, Wilhemina Models asked her to sign a contract, and she’s gone on to a huge career — one she never thought she’d pursue. She says what they liked about her was that she embraced her age, and didn’t get plastic surgery or do anything dramatic to try and hide her natural look, and she hopes that women learn from her that inner beauty is a real thing.

She’s a mother of six, a public relations executive, author of “Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age,” and Ramsey says that she’s always looking for new ways to be engaged with the world.

See what she says she’s excited about every morning when she wakes up, and what she does to nourish her soul.

Want to hear more from Valeria? Click here to listen to our 2009 interview with her.