Anne Hathaway Remembers Being Told Her “Career Would Fall Off a Cliff at the Age of 35”

If anyone is living proof that actresses’ careers don’t decline in their 30s, it’s Anne Hathaway — and she’s setting the record straight for anyone who thinks otherwise.

In a new cover story for NET-A-PORTER’s digital publication, PORTER, Hathaway reflected on being told that her career would go downhill once she reached a certain age. 

“I was warned that my career would fall off a cliff at the age of 35, which is something I know a lot of women face,” Hathaway, who’s currently 41, told the publication. “The thing that has evolved during [that time] is that more women are having careers deeper into their lives, which I think is fantastic.”

Anne continued, “Obviously, it doesn’t mean we should have a ticker-tape parade — someone said this to me the other day: ‘There’s so much to be proud of and there’s so much to fix.’”

Hathaway then explained that while she may still be chasing the same dreams she had when first starting in the industry over 20 years ago, her focus remains steadfast. 

“I’ve always been really upfront about being an ambitious person,” she shared. “I have goals, I have dreams; they don’t look much different than they did when I was [younger], but I’m still pursuing them. It’s something I feel is not just essential for my health — I’m on a team, it’s my family, and it’s not just about me.”

The A-lister’s comments come just months after she opened up about her relationship with aging — and how she doesn’t want to be told that she looks good “for her age” — during an appearance on Today. 

“I don't think about age. To me, aging is another word for living,” she shared. “So, if people want to pay a compliment, it's nice. But whatever the hype is, I'm interested in what's beyond the concept of hype … I'm right at that point where I have a much better sense of how I like to do things. I'm so much better at sharing. I feel like I'm kinder to myself and kinder to others.”