Jane Fonda: I thought I'd die before 30

Veteran actress Jane Fonda shared a poignant personal reflection during a podcast conversation with Michelle Obama, admitting she harbored a deep-seated fear of dying young. The Coming Home star confessed, "I didn't think I'd live past 30," recalling a youth shadowed by her mother's suicide and a pervasive sense of loneliness.

Fonda, now approaching 88, expressed surprise at her longevity and current well-being, stating she feels more centered and happier than she did in her twenties. She emphasized a lack of fear regarding aging or death, but a profound concern about facing the end with unfulfilled regrets, a sentiment she witnessed in her father.

This introspection comes as Fonda continues to challenge ageist stereotypes in Hollywood. Despite her advanced age, she feels more vital than ever and expresses dissatisfaction with current acting roles offered, deeming them "not worthy" of her extensive career. She maintains a rigorous fitness routine, believing she is "much younger than I was when I was in my 20s, in all the ways that matter."