Naomi Watts, 54, on finding love later in life after her surprise wedding to Billy Crudup: 'Women's stories don't end at a certain age'
Naomi Watts has declared that 'age is in' as she discussed growing older as a woman and finding love post-menopause.
The newlywed actress, 54, tied the knot last month with her husband Billy Crudup at a New York City courthouse.
She spoke to Hello! magazine about her marriage and long-standing career have helped put to bed her fears that 'old women are let out to pasture'.
Naomi said she wanted to tell stories about older woman and menopause in particular, to help facilitate a more open conversation and raise awareness.
She said: 'I'm proud to still be working; when the defining narrative used to be that if you were a hair over 40 you were basically forced into retirement, seeing that shift, that's empowering. There's growing recognition that women's stories don't end at a certain age.
![Speaking out: Naomi Watts has declared that 'age is in' as she discussed growing older as a woman and finding love post-menopause](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/12/73549025-12331351-Speaking_out_Naomi_Watts_has_declared_that_age_is_in_as_she_disc-m-14_1690199168534.jpg)
Speaking out: Naomi Watts has declared that 'age is in' as she discussed growing older as a woman and finding love post-menopause
![Smitten: The newlywed actress, 54, tied the knot last month with her husband Billy Crudup at a New York City courthouse](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/12/73549061-12331351-image-a-9_1690198029901.jpg)
Smitten: The newlywed actress, 54, tied the knot last month with her husband Billy Crudup at a New York City courthouse
'It's a side comment here or there, barely even a secondary plot line, but menopause can consume a significant portion of a woman's life - some people it can last over a decade. How is that not worth writing stories about?
'So many things can happen in a women's life during this time; caring for elderly parents, an emptying nest, a divorce, a career shift, getting back into the work force. High stakes! All great fodder for meaningful and rich storytelling. Watch this space!'
The Impossible star is partnering with Mariella Frostrup's campaign group Menopause Mandate to help better support women in the UK and US.
Naomi went through menopause when she was just 36 and said that had there been more openness around the subject at the time, she wouldn't have felt so alone.
She said: 'I truly believe that if menopause hadn't been such an off-limits topic when I first started experiencing symptoms, I would've had an easier transition. I was part of a cycle that desperately needed to be broken.
'There was a lack of open conversation and resources to help women navigate the changes we go through. That's why I'm now so passionate about raising awareness and encouraging more honest conversations.'
It comes after Naomi shared news of her marriage with her followers as she took to Instagram posting a photo of herself and her new husband as she posed on the steps of Manhattan courthouse shortly after tying the knot.
The British-Australian actress stunned in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress as she captioned the post: 'Hitched.'
![Hitched: It comes after Naomi shared news of her marriage with her followers as she took to Instagram posting a photo of herself and her new husband as she posed on the steps of Manhattan courthouse shortly after tying the knot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/08/15/72009463-12277987-Their_sighting_comes_after_the_star_shared_a_number_of_stunning_-a-71_1688826783826.jpg)
Hitched: It comes after Naomi shared news of her marriage with her followers as she took to Instagram posting a photo of herself and her new husband as she posed on the steps of Manhattan courthouse shortly after tying the knot
![The bride wore white! The British-Australian actress stunned in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress as she captioned the post: 'Hitched'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/08/15/72987487-12277987-Naomi_and_Billy_s_trip_comes_after_the_bride_shared_a_number_of_-a-70_1688826774935.jpg)
The bride wore white! The British-Australian actress stunned in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress as she captioned the post: 'Hitched'
A host of the stars celebrity friends rushed to congratulate the pair. Fellow Australian Nicole Kidman wrote: 'So So happy for you both, Love you Nai - you did it!'.
American actress Jennifer Coolidge chimed: 'Hooray!!! Just woke up to this !!!!!Congrats!!! You two couldn't look happier !!!XO'
While Julianne Moore wrote the simple 'FINALLY!!!' and Gwyneth Paltrow commented: 'Yipeeeeeee!!!! Sending so much love!'
New York-born Billy sported a navy blue suit for the occasion, looking dashing with his clean-shaven visage and his shaggy salt-and-pepper hair swept back dramatically.
The famously secretive couple previously sparked marriage rumours after they were spotted in wedding attire in photos obtained by PageSix on Friday.
Naomi first sparked rumors that she and Billy had got engaged earlier this year, when she debuted an enormous diamond with a tasteful marquise cut, along with a diamond-encrusted band.
The star however refused to confirm the engagement chatter, even after American Today show host Hoda Kotb directly referenced it during a late April appearance on the morning talk show.
Naomi and Billy met on the set of her 2017 Netflix series Gypsy, in which she starred as a therapist who uses an alias to develop close (and unethical) relationships with people intimately connected to her patients, while Billy played her husband.
The costars began a relationship later in 2017, a year after Naomi had split from her partner of 11 years, and father of her two sons, Liev Schreiber.
![You may kiss the bride! Marvel star Mark Ruffalo was there to witness the happy event , and shared a tender snap of the newlyweds kissing](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/12/72047425-12331351-You_may_kiss_the_bride_Naomi_Watts_smooches_hubby_Billy_Crudup_i-a-10_1690198156136.jpg)
You may kiss the bride! Marvel star Mark Ruffalo was there to witness the happy event , and shared a tender snap of the newlyweds kissing
![Loved-up: She shared this sweet photo of the couple posing together after the ceremony, adding the caption: 'Hubby'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/24/12/71996189-12331351-She_shared_this_sweet_photo_of_the_couple_posing_together_after_-a-11_1690198293556.jpg)
Loved-up: She shared this sweet photo of the couple posing together after the ceremony, adding the caption: 'Hubby'
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