Born: 16 June 1936, United States (assumed)
Died: NA
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
The following is excerpted from Infinite Women founder Allison Tyra’s book The View from the Hill: Women Who Made Their Mark After 40.
Bodybuilder Ernestine Shepherd “didn’t set foot into a gym until I was 56. I was always too prissy to work out,” she wrote in 2018 at age 81. But at 56, she and her sister, Velvet, made a pact to get in shape, first with aerobics, then weightlifting, and eventually bodybuilding. “One day, Velvet turned to me and said, ‘We should try and get into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest bodybuilding sisters in the world!’” Shepherd later recounted.
Unfortunately, her sister suffered a brain aneurysm and died not long after. “‘I want you to continue what we’re doing even though I won’t make it,’ she told me, just before she passed away. ‘I want you to inspire other senior ladies, and anyone who will listen, to exercise,’” Shepherd wrote. Devastated by the loss, it would be years before she resolved to fulfill her part of the agreement and reached out to former Mr. Universe Yohnnie Shambourger and asked for his help getting into the Guinness Book of World Records. Seven months later, the 71-year-old entered her first bodybuilding competition—and won, not just the contest but also her record as the world’s oldest performing female bodybuilder. She brought some of Velvet’s ashes with her when she accepted the medal and certificate, “and when no one was around, I went outside and spread them as far as I could.”
A decade later, she routinely woke up at 2:30 a.m. to fit in her spiritual devotions and meditations, breakfast and a run before hitting the gym by 7:30, with her own exercise followed by teaching a workout class, then back home for lunch and a rest before being back at the gym from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. to train students aged 20 to 86.
“When I look back at 56-year-old me, I can’t believe how much life has changed. I’m not that shy lady anymore. I am 5ft 4, I weigh between 118-120lb, and I can go anywhere and not feel intimidated by anyone. Bodybuilding has given me an amazing sense of confidence. It’s my joy, and 25 years on, I’m still having the time of my life with it.”