How One Incredible Woman Overcame Abuse and Insecurity at 62

After looking at her stunning photos, you would never guess that Aurora has survived years of domestic violence, crippling anxiety and depression, and the thought that her life didn’t matter. But, here she is at 62-years-old, with even more grace, wisdom, confidence, and zest for life than she had in her younger years.

By day, Aurora is a professional real estate agent and notary, but she’s most in her element when she’s acting, speaking in front of people, and embracing new experiences. But Aurora didn’t always live such a vibrant, outgoing life.

Like so many women, Aurora spent many years living with the effects of an abusive relationship. She felt helpless, alone, and deeply depressed and would often question her own self-worth, and, in her darkest moments, she even wondered whether life was worth living.

“I almost lost my life to domestic violence and going through a depressive state in which I was in a dark room for almost three years,” said Aurora. “But, I have to thank God for blessing me and keeping me here and giving me the strength to carry on because, deep down, I knew that my life did matter.”

It was when she got her first dog that Aurora began to grow through her trauma and recognize that her life had purpose and meaning.

“[My dog] was instrumental in getting me to the point of going outside,” Aurora said, “because I wouldn’t even do that. Then, gradually, as time went on, I started doing more things that put me in front of people. And that’s when I got into acting.”

Suddenly, or so it seemed, the woman who used to feel broken, lonely, and afraid to speak, found herself passionate about meeting new people and standing in the spotlight (both literally and figuratively).

“It’s been a slow growing process,” said Aurora, “but now I can get up in front of someone and feel confident enough that I can carry myself in such a way that it’s a good thing. Not only in the acting, but also in public speaking or just talking to people.”

Overcoming her challenges with domestic violence, finding her confidence, and learning to love herself once again eventually led her to the art of boudoir.

“I had gone through a very difficult time in my life,” Aurora said, “and I wanted to do something for me. I wanted to show that I do have some strength left, which I thought I had lost. And so it was very important for me to do [boudoir], to show that I do still have that strength and that I do still matter.”

And even though Aurora’s nerves nearly led her to cancel her shoot just one week before her big day, she pushed through her fear and committed to her life-changing boudoir experience.

“I told myself, ‘You know what? There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s going to be tastefully done. And so why not? This is something that you want to do. So do it.’”

“I love myself more now than I did before my shoot,” said Aurora, “because I did something that I wanted to do, that I was frightened to do, because I just didn’t know. But you know what? At 62, I’m not looking back, I’m going to keep forging ahead and keep going for it.

Aurora’s advice for other women who find themselves at a crossroads in life is simple and straightforward: “Any woman who has any doubt about her femininity or who has a shyness or a desire that she wants to show her sexuality and show that she has it regardless of age, size, or color — you have it! So go for it!”