The legendary actress and EGOT winner shares the challenges of aging at 92, the invaluable support of her daughter Fernanda and the enduring joy of motherhood.
- Apr 29, 2024
AceShowbiz - Rita Moreno, the celebrated EGOT winner, has been navigating the complexities of aging with grace and candor. As she approaches her 93rd year, Rita relies heavily on her only daughter, Fernanda Luisa Gordon, for support.
"I'm constantly calling upon her to do things," Rita told PEOPLE magazine. "I have a problem with remembering names, names of things, and names of people. It's so much a part of being 92 right now."
Beyond practical assistance, Rita also values Fernanda's wisdom and compassion. "There are times when I need her wisdom, and they are more often than you might think, particularly at this age - 92 is not easy in many ways, and it's something that's difficult to understand," she said.
Although Rita does not dwell on her mortality, she acknowledges its inevitability. "I think that as you, the parent, gets older, I believe that the child has to be thinking about, 'Well, at some point this will end,' " she confided. "It's not something that Fernanda and I sit and discuss, but I just know that she has to think about that."
Despite the challenges, Rita's love for her family remains unwavering. "It's the best thing in the world," she said of being a parent. "And when my grandsons [Justin and Cameron] were born, I could have died with happiness."
Moreno's relationship with Fernanda is remarkably close, marked by a deep bond and shared experiences. "We constantly have people picking up on our closeness and commenting, 'I wish I felt that way about my mom!' " said Fernanda. "We travel together, we shop together, and we like to get a lot out of life."
As the demographics shift and the elderly population grows, Rita's experiences underscore the importance of open communication and accessible care for aging parents. It is through the unwavering support of loved ones that individuals can navigate the challenges of aging with dignity and a sense of purpose.
