Insights from an Outstanding Octogenarian: A Conversation with Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson

This month Madame Clarkson celebrated her 85th birthday. We were delighted to have a conversation with the Honorary Chair of the National Institute on Ageing’s Advisory Board and discuss what this particular milestone means to her.

Madame Clarkson may be passing on the torch as the co-chair of the Institute for the Canadian Citizenship (ICC), however this former Governor General is not letting anything slow her down in her current quest to make Canada a better place to age. 

As you celebrate your 85th birthday, what brings you the most joy and fulfillment in life, and what are you looking forward to in the years to come?

I’m most looking forward to watching the development of my grandchildren. I’m very good friends with my granddaughter who’s 22 and we have great conversations. I learn a lot from her because there are less barriers between generations today. Today, you can really be friends with your elders. My grandson is 6”7 and an elite volleyball player. I have two other grandsons. One is in culinary school at George Brown and the other is studying history at the University of Guelph. I’m glad we have less taboos about the questions you can ask older adults. Our younger generation can have a real conversation with us and I love that. There is an openness that we didn’t have when I was young.

Before becoming a key figure in Canadian parliamentary democracy, you had a successful career in journalism and broadcasting. You were the producer and host of several television programs, including "Adrienne Clarkson Presents" and "Take Thirty." What strategies did you use to achieve success in your career?

In the 60s it was difficult for woman as journalists particularly as broadcast journalists. Partly because men were more powerful than women. They made more money than women, had better titles than women. It was hard. I was fortunate though because I was brought up with self-confidence and believed in myself. I knew I was different, as a woman, as a refugee, as Chinese. It made me stand out and anyone who saw me on TV could see how I made these differences work.

It is amazing now to hear from other older women in the Asian community. They tell me what it meant to them to see someone Chinese on television at a time when there was little or no diversity in broadcasting.

I was recently at the swearing-in of Nathalie Des Rosiers as a Judge in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. At least half a dozen young Asian lawyers told me how important I had been to them growing up. That really makes me feel like my life was worthwhile! It’s wonderful to live a long life and see these things.

As an octogenarian, how do you stay motivated and engaged in life?

Well suddenly I’m 85, which is surprising to me! I just had a knee replacement three months ago which has worked wonders and means that I can walk 10,000 steps a day with no problems.

Luckily, I still have four very close friends who I have known since I was 18. We are all busy and engaged. My father lived until he was 96 and I want to live a long life too. Life is so interesting.

Fortunately, there are so many things that keep me going. I have just relinquished being the day-to-day Co-Chair of the ICC and I am now their Honorary Co-Chair. I have the Clarkson Laureateships at Massey College which are named in honour of my long public service as a volunteer and as Governor General. Earlier this month I was thrilled to present this award to Dr. Samir Sinha, Director of Health Policy Research at the NIA for his volunteerism and public service.

I also enjoy participating in speaking engagements if the subject interests me. I am working on another book that will be published in a year. I’d love to do a podcast where I can talk to people of all ages. Especially about lifestyle changes as we age. I think that would be really fun.

I always try to break down the stigmas and stereotypes of what it means to get older. I wear clothes that I bought 40 years ago and I love wearing my own vintage wardrobe.

The one thing that I forbid people to say is that we are doing well “for our age”. I still do everything I want to do. Of course, there are things that I can’t do as well anymore and I accept that. I can’t fly to Pakistan and then fly somewhere else the next day. Now I need a day or two to rest, but I still travel and I still love it.

If you could offer one piece of wisdom or insight gained from your rich and varied experiences, what would it be? What advice would you give to your younger self, knowing what you know now?

I think I would be more forgiving towards myself. Women in journalism and in the workforce had many limitations. In 1968 I remember telling my producer that I was leaving to have a baby. His response was, “If you are not back in six weeks, you’re fired.” Of course, I did return and it was wrenching. This was the world that women had to navigate with their careers and raising a family.

That was the attitude and no one thought any different. You took all the insults and did your best work. I always focused my efforts on my work and I always knew that my work was good because I worked so hard. That was always the final gauge of the value you brought. I was always a feminist. I still fight to break down all kinds of barriers for women. There are still glass ceilings and power struggles in the workforce. There is still more work to be done to make things better for women.

As you step down as the Co-Chair of The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), what’s next on the horizon for you? Any exciting projects that you are excited about?

I am now the Honorary Co-Chair of the ICC and I am still on the International Board of Directors of the Global Centre for Pluralism chaired by His Highness the Aga Khan. I have been involved with the Global Centre for Pluralism for the last 16 years and today there is such a need for this work. People are moving through borders more than ever before and we need to understand these changes and use them for the betterment of humanity. In our increasingly interdependent world, respect for diversity and the practices that support it are not just desirable: they are vital building blocks of peace, prosperity and security for all.

Finally, I am very proud to be the Honorary Chair of the National Institute on Ageing’s Advisory Board where I can help to provide advice and support to help guide its work to help more Canadians to age well and with confidence.