‘Shy’ Senior Lands Modeling Career at 70 After Stranger’s Instagram Post Goes Viral

Senior Anne Flanagan starts a modeling career at age 70 – SWNS

A retiree says she spent her life with low self-esteem, but now she can be seen on catwalks after a stranger approached her on the street, wanting to take a photo.

Irishwoman Anne Flanagan had never modeled before and always thought of herself as a serious person.

But after a chance meeting in January with a photographer in Belfast, she found her confidence—and a desire to have a little fun.

“I saw someone coming towards me with a camera,” said the 70-year-old, who is always happy to help a tourist by giving directions.

Christopher Ward didn’t need directions. He told her he runs the Instagram page Model Strangers, and wanted to snap her photo. Once he showed her the account, she said yes—and the post went viral.


Anne was delighted by the commenters saying how empowering the photos made them feel. Soon, people began recognizing her on the street.

“I was stopped in a coffee shop, and this lady said, ‘are you Anne?’

“They love seeing an older person being given a platform.”

SWNS reported she was “quickly snapped up by a modeling agency, a clothing brand, and a shopping centre fashion show”.

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