Twiggy on the exercise that turned her life around

Model, actor, singer and designer Twiggy was a British cultural icon during the 1960s. She's since won two Golden Globes, starred in a Broadway musical and modelled for Marks and Spencer, among many other achievements.

Now at the age of 75 a new documentary, Twiggy, is being released in cinemas about her life. She spoke to Saga Magazine about marriage, making music and Pilates, the exercise that transformed her life.

You can read her full interview in our March edition in print or on our app. 

The exercise that transformed Twiggy’s life

“I do Pilates once a week,” she revealed. “I started that about ten years ago because I hurt my back – I was going to a therapist about it and he said I should start Pilates to build up my core.

“It’s turned my life around. I recommend it to anyone over 40.”

Why staying active is so important

“Yes, especially as you get older. I think the worst thing anyone can do is to stop. We’ve all read those stories of people who give up work and don’t do anything.

“If you give up work, you’ve got to have another interest, whether it’s in a charity or creating something or travelling, otherwise I think you just stagnate.”

The royal letter she thought was a tax bill

“I was proud about being made a dame in 2019 because I love my country. I’m a very proud Brit and a very proud Londoner.

“I was so shocked when it happened. I got this official letter and thought, ‘Oh my God, it’s a tax letter!’

“Then I opened it, and it was written in kind of legalese language. I thought it was saying I was being made a CBE.

“I called the phone number on the bottom of the letter and spoke to a really nice lady. I asked her if it was true I was being offered a CBE.

“She said, ‘No, they are offering you a damehood!’”

Twiggy loves being a granny

“Carly has two children, and Ace, Leigh’s son, has three, who live mostly in Wales, so we don’t see them as much, but they’re lovely kids. For Carly, I’m number-one babysitter, and I’ll fight anyone who tries to change that!”

Twiggy on the new documentary film Twiggy

“I do a podcast called Tea with Twiggy, and about two and a half years ago, I had Sadie Frost on to talk about Quant, which she directed.

“In the middle of us chatting on the podcast, I asked if she was going to do any others because it was so good, and she said, ‘I’d love to do you!’ because she’s fascinated by the Sixties.

“So, the following week, we went out for lunch, and it grew from there. I loved the way Sadie was thinking, and she knew I’d want to be very involved. Making it has been a happy experience. She’s done a great job.”