Anneline Kriel, one of South Africa’s most iconic faces at the age of 70, recently wrote, “After spending much of my life in the spotlight, I have reached a point where I value quiet contentment more than anything else.”
By Henry Bantjez (M.Psych.)
(Henry Bantjez regularly publishes articles on wellness topics and is a cognitive behavioural therapist who is from Cape Town)
Fashion photo of Anneline: Photographer Gavin Furlonger
Photo of Anneline at crosses supplied by Anneline
Anneline Kriel, one of South Africa’s most iconic faces at the age of 70, recently wrote, “After spending much of my life in the spotlight, I have reached a point where I value quiet contentment more than anything else,” yet, whether she likes it or not, she remains fascinating, relevant and outspoken on interesting and controversial topics, and I hope that she will continue to do so for many years to come. The former Miss World recently celebrated a romantic milestone birthday with hubby Peter Bacon at her favourite hotel, Le Touessrok, on the island of Mauritius. When asked about ageing, she said, “There is no denying that I am older, but I appreciate my health and all the blessings that I have, such as a beautiful family and a home filled with 5 gorgeous dogs that give my husband and me such pleasure. I think the benefit of reaching this age is that you can really appreciate your life and make peace with the bad times.” A 70-year-old with few wrinkles, who laughs and jokes addictively during dialogue as if it were second nature. She walks with a straight back and lives life with intent. She dresses impeccably, like a lady. She does it effortlessly and with class. The embodiment of graceful ageing. Anneline walks as if she were her own hero. And for those of you who are thinking it, no, she has not had plastic surgery. “I think my thoughts about plastic surgery and Botox are a personal choice. I have always been a natural girl and never liked using a lot of makeup. Getting older is an interesting journey and part of life. Personally, lifts, tucks, and enhancements, such as fillers, don’t turn me on. But as I say, it is a personal choice.” Anneline believes that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. What makes someone beautiful is in their personality. She also believes that island life, swimming in the sea, and the humidity are good for her skin, and hopefully, it makes her stay younger longer. Living in Mauritius has its benefits, such as being rejuvenated after a swim in the ocean, a major form of exercise, and healthy food. “We have our main meal at lunchtime and then fast until breakfast the following day. As you get older, you don’t need that much food. My favourite drink is a glass of champagne, and I don’t need an occasion to enjoy it.”
Anneline remembers arriving in Mauritius many years ago. She says that people think that if you live on a tropical island, you must always be on holiday. (She laughs.) “No, that is not true, but both my husband and I are retired, and we are taking it slow. We walk our dogs on the beach in the mornings. The island is like a small town, and many of us know each other. Many South Africans live on the island, and sometimes the local supermarket feels like being back in South Africa when I hear Afrikaans or the South African accent. “It takes about 2 hours to drive from the North to the South of the island, and the two parts of the island are very different from each other. The South is quite mountainous, and even when you snorkel in the South, the coral is totally different. It gets, of course, very hot in December, January and February, which is also our cyclone season. We haven’t had a major cyclone hit the island in many years, but when it hits, the winds and rain can be devastating.”
When I asked Anneline how she felt about being an icon in the gay community, she smiled and answered. “You say I am an icon in the gay community, and I feel very flattered by your suggestion. I must say many of my best friends are gay, and I find them to be very talented, fun and trustworthy. I think they might like the fact that I am prepared to live my life on my own terms, and I am not afraid to embrace opportunities.” The truth is that the gays love her because she is fabulous, unafraid and a role model.
In 1974, at the Miss World contest, when Anneline was asked about politics, she said that she was a beauty queen, not a politician and was not interested in politics. This has changed. She has grown into a power to be reckoned with, an influencer, and outspoken on the farm murders in South Africa, mostly of white farmers, that the government of South Africa denies and still has failed to put into place an action plan to resolve, even after calls from President Trump. In her own words, she says, “The history of farm murders in South Africa is so gruesome and violent. It leaves the affected families broken and destroyed. I am pleased that it got all the attention a little while ago at the White House, and hope it was a turning point. I think our leaders should promote and build on reconciliation between races and not exploit race for political gain that fuels hatred. We have moved so far away from a rainbow nation, and we must claw for a better life for all, despite having leaders like (Julius) Malema. Many farm murders are committed out of hate or greed, and they affect black and white farmers. I can’t be silent about it.” It made a huge impact and touched people’s hearts when Anneline visited the memorial crosses for victims of farm attacks in South Africa, a complex of symbolic white crosses planted on a hillside to represent white farmers killed in horrific attacks.
