With 3.6 million Instagram followers, a major cosmetic line collaboration under her belt, and appearances in campaigns for Old Navy Holiday 2020 and LG Homestyle (working alongside A-Rod, Billy Porter, and 2 Chainz) Baddie Winkle is the epitome of an Instagram star.
But there’s one specific quality that sets her apart from traditional influencers: she happens to be 92. Though much has changed since a viral photo catapulted her into the spotlight, Winkle has been a true “baddie” long before social media coined the phrase. Her Instagram account is filled with vibrant colors, the fiercest fashion, and the perfect blend of spunk, inspiration, and sass. It’s Winkle’s unapologetic authenticity that has captured the hearts of millions. Just consult her IG bio, which reads, “Been stealing ur man since 1928.”
Baddie Winkle
Age: 92
Stealing your man since 1928: I’m from Eastern Kentucky, where I grew up on a farm. Remember this was back in the dark ages; I’m 92. I had a chicken graveyard when I was little—we made our own fun. I went to Dayton, Ohio, and met my husband and lived there for years. I’ve lived in Florida, Tennessee, and lots of different places.
3.6 million followers and counting: I’ve always loved colors and very bold clothes. I’ve always been like that; it’s my style. I think that I was the first and the only grandmother on Instagram for a long time and I think people like that. My great-granddaughter Kennedy took a picture of me one day when she got home from school. I was at her house and she said, “Grandma, I’m going to put this on my Instagram.” I was wearing a pair of cutoff jeans and a tie-dye shirt. I had heard of Instagram, but I really didn’t know anything about it so I said, “OK, I don’t care what you do with it.” So, she put it on her page and I remember she would come home from school so excited, and I mean she was just really excited. She would say, “Grandma! Look how many followers you have!” Well I didn’t know what she was talking about, really. I said, “What do you mean followers?” She said, “People that see your picture on my page!” It was very exciting. It has changed my life completely. [At the time] I was grieving over my son who had died, and I mean it turned my life around and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have done so many things, I’ve been so many places, it has been phenomenal. It’s almost unbelievable that a little old girl from Eastern Kentucky would be all over the world.
A lifetime of memories: [In the Old Navy ad and the LG Homestyle campaign] I had a lot of fun. I always have fun. Everybody is so nice and very helpful and fun to be with. It’s just like a party. I have so many memories, oh gosh. I’ve been so many places. One of my favorite places is Brazil. I was there for a week about three years ago; it’s absolutely beautiful. I loved going to England. I was in Ireland; I went where my family originated from and I loved being there. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place. I just love everything about this wild ride that I’m on. It has been absolutely fabulous.
Lessons learned from 92 fabulous years: I’ve learned a lot of life lessons. Be kind to everyone you meet. Smile, say hello, and just be kind because there are so many people out there that are not. Always be yourself. I don’t put on any airs or try to be somebody that I’m not. I’m just me and I think that’s the way that everybody should be, and it’s been pretty successful for me.
Resolutions for 2021: Well, 2020 has been hell. So, I am going to follow all the rules, wear a mask when I got out, stay six feet away, and do all the things that they tell us to do, and be safe. We’ll get through it, and we’ll get through it together.