When Ruth Cooper turned sixty, she chose to celebrate it the way she has tried to live much of her life, with intention, appreciation, and a good dose of dancing. “I’ve never had a fear of birthdays,” she told me. “The fact that I’m still here to celebrate them with friends and family is something I’m grateful for.” For Ruth, that gratitude translated into a knees-up in a village hall with music, friends, and even a playlist to indulge her love of dancing with her partner, Clem. 

It’s a scene that captures something essential about Ruth: grounded, joyful, and conscious of time’s passage, but not in a way that feels heavy. When asked whether turning sixty had marked any big psychological transition, her answer was simple. “Nope,” she said with a smile. But that doesn’t mean the milestone passed unnoticed. It was celebrated, honoured, and appreciated; without fuss, but with thought. 

Before sixty, Ruth built a career that many would envy. With a degree in zoology from a London university, she began her professional life at the Natural History Museum, a job she still speaks about with fondness. A move to another scientific organisation followed, and then, for the past 35 years, she has worked at The Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences. 

That kind of professional longevity is rare, but it’s no accident. Ruth has spent much of her working life engaged with international scientific networks, particularly in Africa, helping to support and strengthen research capacity. “I wouldn’t have stayed there so long if I didn’t enjoy most of it most of the time,” she said. It was a role that gave her the opportunity to make a tangible difference and one that brought moments of recognition too, like being invited to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. “It was a lovely acknowledgment of the work I’d done. A real privilege.” 

Still working four and a half days a week, Ruth is one of many in her generation who are extending their careers beyond what used to be the traditional retirement age. She is not quite ready to retire just yet, and while the financial element plays a part, it is also clear that work still holds meaning and satisfaction. The pandemic brought an unexpected gift in the form of remote working, which suited her down to the ground. “I love not commuting and having lunch at home,” she said. “I’ve got a good set-up and a better balance.” 

That said, she’s beginning to look ahead to a future where she might swap meetings for more time in the French countryside. She and Clem have a share in a farmhouse in rural France, and the idea of long days, simple pleasures, and perhaps more dancing certainly has its appeal. 

Health, of course, becomes a greater consideration as we age, and Ruth is proactive on that front too. She’s increased her yoga practice and is walking regularly. “I’m trying to maintain my current level of health, and maybe even reverse a few things,” she said. Like many of us, she acknowledges that she may not be quite as fit as she once was, “I probably won’t ski again”, but she’s still up for new adventures. In fact, she’s ticked off more than a few already: skydiving, scuba diving, zorbing, even walking on hot coals. She’s not stopped either. While no longer leaping from planes, Ruth now judges international skydiving competitions, with upcoming trips planned to the Netherlands and the US. 

Her sense of curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning also extends to the cultural and cerebral. Travel is high on her list for the years ahead. So is keeping up her French, seeing musical theatre, and indulging her love of a good afternoon tea. “A friend gave me a list of 60 things to do in your 60s,” she said. “And I’ve started working my way through it.” It includes the simple as well as the special. But for Ruth, what matters is doing things with intention and taking the time to enjoy them. 

When I asked if she had any advice for her younger self, she was reflective but direct: “Be kind to yourself and to others. Remember that life is never going to be as good as it is right now. You’re never going to be younger than you are at this moment, or have all the people around you that you do right now.” It’s a moving reminder to live fully in the present, and not to spend too much time either chasing the past or fearing the future. 

Ruth also spoke about the importance of giving back. Throughout her life she has made time for volunteering, which she describes as both humbling and rewarding. “It makes a huge difference to the community, and to you,” she said. She recommends it to anyone with a little spare time, and urges employers to support volunteering where they can. “It’s not just about what you give, but what you learn and how you grow in the process.” 

As for turning sixty, Ruth’s message is clear. “Enjoy it. Embrace it. Or ignore it, if that suits you better. But don’t dread it. It’s just another rotation round the sun.” For someone who has leapt from planes, judged competitions around the world, and still dances for the joy of it, we can’t imagine she’ll be slowing down any time soon.