“It’s Never Too Late to Transform”

What Oprah Reminded Me About Grey Divorce

Last weekend, I met Oprah Winfrey.
Yes, that Oprah.

I still cannot quite believe it. I have the photo, the moment, the goosebumps. But what stayed with me was what we had a chat about. Grey divorce. The rising wave of separations happening later in life. And why it is not a failure, but a profound moment of transformation.

Her message was clear, warm and powerful.

Transformation is for every age and grey divorce is a universal thing.

We spoke about the phenomenon and how it was just as relevant in Australia as it was in USA. We agreed people are the same all over the world and that it is never too late to change your life.

This conversation spoke directly to the heart of what I see at Resolve.

A chance for a reset

Grey divorce is growing faster than any other category of separation. People in their fifties, sixties and seventies are rethinking what they want the next decades of their life to look like. And for many people who have spent years feeling silenced, overlooked or financially dependent, this becomes the first time they can choose themselves.

What Oprah said mirrors what I witness at Resolve

• The children are grown.
• The nest is empty.
• People are living longer and healthier than ever before.
• Women’s financial independence makes it easier to leave without fear of financial ruin.
• Community acceptance is finally catching up

People who have felt stuck for years are now quietly asking themselves, “If not now, when?”

Grey divorce is not a crisis.
It is a reset.

It is often the final opportunity to secure financial stability, reshape identity and build a life that feels calm, safe and self directed. And it is the moment when the right legal, emotional and financial support becomes essential.

A Client Story

From Shaking With Fear to Standing in Her Power

One of my clients, whom I will call Margaret, is the perfect example of what Oprah meant.

Margaret lived through a marriage marked by decades of emotional and physical violence.
By the time she came to us in her seventies, she was a nervous wreck. Shaking. Apologising constantly. Afraid to speak. Terrified of what separation might mean for her future.

She had been unhappy her entire adult life but had never believed she was allowed to leave.

With steady support, clarity around her finances, emotional regulation tools and simple reminders of her worth, she transformed.

The woman who used to whisper now speaks with certainty.
The woman who could not make eye contact now walks in with her shoulders back.
The woman who thought life was ending discovered that life was just beginning.

Today she travels.
She manages her money confidently.
She laughs easily.
She is living the years she deserved long ago.

This is what grey divorce can make possible.

What the Community Needs to Hear

Grey divorce is not niche.
It is a demographic shift with real emotional and economic consequences.

More people over 50 are leaving marriages that no longer support their wellbeing.
Women in particular, are experiencing greater financial confidence than ever before.
Boomers hold most of the nation’s wealth, and late life separation changes how that wealth is divided and passed on.
This generation is redefining ageing. They want independence, travel, and self determination.

The community should support grey divorce because it allows people to leave relationships that have stopped supporting them. It protects long term wellbeing. It helps older Australians live safely and with dignity. And it models resilience to the next generation.

Nothing is more heartbreaking than someone saying they stayed for the children, even when the children are forty. Now its time for the children to start telling them, “Mum, it is your turn now.”

The Practical Realities

What Grey Divorce Really Involves

Separating later in life raises questions younger couples do not face.

Finality

There is a sense of finality when couples are in their retirement phase, as there is no longer an income stream and so the settlement has to be managed and planned carefully to last.

Superannuation availability

Often the largest asset and often unevenly held. Super splitting must be carefully modelled to ensure both partners can retire safely.

Retirement Planning is now

Life after separation needs clear financial mapping. Cashflow, health needs, lifestyle choices and long term income streams all matter.

Property Decisions

Housing is emotional. It is also financial. Comfort, maintenance, proximity to adult children and affordability all come into play.

Pensions

Age pension eligibility can change significantly after separation, sometimes for the better.

Healthcare

Health needs can differ between partners and must be planned for.

Adult Children

They may be older, but the emotional impact is real. Their fears, support or expectations influence family dynamics.

Emotional Landscape

Grey divorce can involve grief, fear, shame and anxiety.
But it often brings relief, hope and excitement.
All of these feelings are valid and manageable with the right support.

Why Resolve Leads in Supporting Grey Divorce

Our work is not only legal. It is transformational.

We help clients understand their financial future clearly.
We help them regulate emotional overwhelm.
We help them rebuild confidence and trust in themselves.
We help them plan for the next twenty to thirty years with intention.
We help them feel steady, safe and empowered.

We support the whole person.
There is no judgement.
We help clients navigate relationships with adult children.
We prepare them for negotiations that can be emotionally complex, especially when the spouse did not expect the separation or has very traditional views about marriage.

We understand how important it is to plan for the future.
This settlement must last.
So we work with a network of specialists who help clients make decisions that will support them for life.

We do not just end marriages.
We help people begin again.

Grey divorce is not about breaking families.
It is often the first time someone gives themselves permission to choose peace, stability and joy.

A Message to Anyone Considering Grey Divorce

If something inside you is whispering, “Maybe it is time,” then hear Oprah’s words the way I heard them.

It is never too late to transform your life.

You are not stuck.
You are not too old.
You are not selfish.
You are not alone.

The next chapter can be the best chapter.
And you deserve support that helps you step into it with clarity, confidence and steadiness.

If You Are a Journalist or Producer

Grey divorce is a national trend with real human impact.
If you are seeking commentary, insight or case studies, I am available for interviews.

Grey divorce is reshaping what ageing looks like in Australia.
Let us talk about it openly, compassionately and with nuance.