Turning The Big 5-0 Lynette's Biggest Lessons

The Actress Is Passing On Words Of Wisdom To Her Daughter.

- Kelly Bertrand

Turning 50 is a defining moment of any woman’s life and usually, the occasion is met with either excited optimism or reluctant acceptance.

When Lynette Forday woke up on the morning of her half century, the first emotion that coursed through her was fear.

“It was terrifying,” the stunning actress tells the Weekly. “Not because of ageing, but because of mortality, and knowing that there’s so many things to do in life and time is running out.”

Life has turned out far different than expected for the ballet dancer-turned-actress. “I’m not saying it’s not great,” she muses, “but life takes you where it needs to, doesn’t it? You can plan and plan, but now I just let it take me.”

Though her first moments after turning the big 5-0 weren’t all that great, Lynette’s happy to report her perspective has changed and she’s loving what’s proving to be a very different stage of her life.

As well as reprising her role as Nurse Crabb in the final season of Kiwi-Aussie drama 800 Words, Lynette has embraced a new passion after connecting with Kiwi businesswoman and lawyer Mei Chen and her organisation, New Zealand Asian Leaders, to help and encourage diversity into the nation’s boardrooms. It’s a cause she’s fiercely determined to further, with her 14-year-old daughter Lucia her inspiration.

“I don’t want my daughter looking at the TV or at magazines and saying, ‘Why am I not there? Why am I not good enough?’” she tells.