For those of us who spent our afternoons glued to the telly in the 80s and 90s, the name Sally Jessy Raphael is as familiar as a cup of tea and a bikkie. With her signature red glasses and no-nonsense attitude, Sally was the queen of daytime talk, tackling everything from family dramas to the wildest confessions America could throw at her. But what does the legendary host look like now, at the grand age of 90? Well, prepare to be surprised—Sally is living her best life, and she’s got a whole new look to prove it!

A Fresh Take on Retirement


Sally Jessy Raphael, who once ruled the airwaves with her eponymous talk show 'Sally' (originally 'Sally Jessy Raphael'), has been sharing rare glimpses of her retirement on social media, and fans can’t get enough. Gone are the days of the iconic red specs—though her fiery red hair remains! In a recent Instagram post, Sally was spotted enjoying a breezy boat ride, donning a chic black and white sundress, a vibrant green scarf, and her unmistakable red locks. She captioned the photo with a playful nod to her loyal followers, the 'Raphaelites,' saying she was 'serving you sailboat vibes.'


But that’s not all. In other snaps, Sally is seen relaxing at the end of a dock in a colourful tie-dye T-shirt, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, looking every bit the picture of contentment. 'Hope you’re all enjoying your summer as much as I am,' she wrote, radiating the same warmth and wit that made her a household name.


Living Life to the Fullest

Sally’s zest for life hasn’t slowed down one bit. In another candid moment, she’s pictured in New England, tucking into a plate of oysters and cheekily wondering if they’re 'supposed to be an aphrodisiac?!' And earlier this year, she shared a photo from Paris, leaning out a window to soak in the City of Lights. It’s clear that Sally is embracing her golden years with the same adventurous spirit that made her a TV icon.

A Look Back at a Trailblazing Career


For those who may not remember, 'Sally' aired from 1983 to 2002 and was famous for its sensational audience participation and hard-hitting, issue-driven content. Sally’s empathetic yet direct approach won her legions of fans—and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1989. She was a pioneer, paving the way for the likes of Oprah and Dr. Phil, and her influence on the talk show format is still felt today.

Personal Triumphs and Heartbreaks

Behind the scenes, Sally’s life has been marked by both joy and sorrow. She was married to Karl Soderlund for 57 years until his passing in 2020, and together they raised an adopted son, Jason, and three foster children. She also had two daughters, Allison (who sadly passed away in 1992) and Andrea, from her first marriage to Andrew Vladimir. Through it all, Sally has remained resilient, candidly sharing her experiences with her audience.


Reflections on Age and Beauty

In a recent interview, Sally opened up about what it’s like to turn 90 after such a public career. 'It’s really interesting being 90 because if you dye your hair and you don’t have any veins in your legs, then people say you look young,' she mused. 'And that’s always nice that people say, although why they think looking young when you can claim 90 is beyond me, but they think it’s a compliment.'

She also shared a charming perspective on ageing: 'You’re cute when you’re young, and then for a long time, you’re not cute. And then when you get to be 80 or 90, you’re cute again. People always say, ‘That cute old lady,’ so I guess I’m cute again.'


A Lesson for Us All

Sally Jessy Raphael’s story is a wonderful reminder that life doesn’t stop at retirement—it just gets more interesting! Whether she’s sailing, sampling oysters, or exploring Paris, Sally is proof that age is just a number and that there’s plenty of adventure to be had at any stage of life.
Were you a fan of Sally’s talk show back in the day? Do you have fond memories of her iconic red glasses and candid interviews? Or perhaps you’ve got your own stories about embracing life after 60? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, memories, and tips for living life to the fullest in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the legends among us—and the legends we’re all becoming!

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