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Roctogenarians: Late-in-Life Comebacks and Triumphs

July 8, 2026 · 44 min

Show notes

Late-in-life debuts, comebacks, and triumphs. In this episode, "Roctogenarians" author Mo Rocca shares with Constant Wonder host Marcus Smith awe-inspiring stories of people who made major career pivots late in life. Yasmeen Lari was a famous Pakistani architect celebrated for her work in steel, cement, and glass. In her 60s, after a massive earthquake hit her country, she began to work with locals, building humble homes of adobe, mud, and bamboo. Painter Henri Matisse, debilitated by stomach cancer in his 70s, hung up his brushes and took up scissors to continue making art. And Disney illustrator Tyrus Wong waited until he was 90 years old to receive full credit for the revolutionary work he'd done on "Bambi." Never say it's too late to succeed! Guest: Mo Rocca, correspondent for "CBS News Sunday Morning," author of "Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs," and host of the "Mobituaries" podcast Chapters: (0:00) What Makes a "Roctogenarian"? (3:32) A Revolutionary Disney Animator (17:00) Origin of Mo Rocca's Obsession with Roctogenarians (22:33) An Artist's Self-Reinvention (32:40) Paper Plant Specimens (36:13) From Modern to Humble Architecture Originally aired July 24, 2024

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