The phrase better late than never speaks to the heart of perseverance and second chances. Its roots run deep, tracing back to a Latin proverb used by the Roman historian Livy, and it first appeared in English in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales over six centuries ago. The wisdom of this phrase is universal: taking action, no matter when, is always better than never trying at all. In today’s fast-paced, youth-fixated society, it's easy to feel like you’ve missed your window. But stories of remarkable late bloomers remind us that time isn’t our enemy—giving up is.

Consider Harland “Colonel” Sanders. He didn’t even start franchising his now world-famous fried chicken until his sixties. Most people would have considered slowing down at that age, but Sanders hit the road on a shoestring budget, sleeping in his car as he pitched his recipe restaurant by restaurant. His perseverance paid off; in his seventies, Kentucky Fried Chicken was a global sensation. Ray Kroc launched McDonald’s at 52 after decades of nondescript sales work, showing that even a small idea, acted on relentlessly, can change the world. Julia Child became a household name in her 50s, when she introduced French cooking to America, and Vera Wang’s first wedding dress design came at age 40 after an entirely different career path.

These aren’t exceptions; they highlight a powerful pattern. According to VegOut Magazine, late bloomers tend to draw upon years of accumulated experience, forming robust habits and networks that fuel their success. They rarely pivot out of nowhere—they compound, building on a foundation only time can provide. Community also plays a crucial role. Durable achievement is often a team sport, drawing strength from the right mentors and peers.

Societal pressure can make us believe that if we haven’t succeeded by a certain age, the chance is gone. But as stories like these prove, not only is success possible later in life, it’s often all the richer for the journey. For anyone listening who feels behind, remember: you set your own timeline. List your unique strengths. Take one step forward, however small. Do it today, do it tomorrow—just don’t let the myth of being “too late” hold you back. After all, better late than never.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI