This project is dedicated to the loving memory of Sara Terry 1955-2025
Beatriz Amado looks at an statue at an art museum in São Paulo, Brazil, Jun. 10, 2023.
Beatriz Amado looks at an statue at an art museum in São Paulo, Brazil, Jun. 10, 2023.

Beatriz Amado, a vivacious 72-year-old woman, embodies a life characterized by curiosity, connection and a deep commitment to personal growth.

At the heart of Beatriz's mission is empathy. After founding an NGO to provide support for adoptive families, where she worked for over 20 years, her passion for understanding the human psyche led her to a new path.

Now immersed in psychoanalysis, Beatriz offers sessions for families, couples and adults. Alongside her professional pursuits, she nurtures a love for travel and connecting with new people. Residing in a beautiful house in São Paulo, Brazil, Beatriz cherishes her life as a wife, mother and most recently, as a grandmother. She lightens up when family and friends are around, especially her young granddaughters.

What sets Beatriz apart is not just her chronological age, but her timeless spirit of exploration and learning. Beatriz Amado's story is a mosaic of family bonds, global exploration and an intrinsic desire to understand the human mind and behavior. Her life's journey encapsulates the essence of a well-rounded existence, driven by an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and a genuine love for both the inner workings of humanity and the diverse tapestry of the world. As she continues to break the mold of aging, her story remains an eloquent reminder that life's possibilities are boundless for those who approach it with an open heart and an insatiable curiosity.

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How does it feel to be 72?

"You no longer owe satisfaction to anyone, it's a great feeling of freedom. I really enjoy my life. I think I did everything I wanted, based on my intuition. There is the sadness that life is ending, but also a deep desire to live every moment. There are things I can't do anymore, but I don't waste time thinking I'm going to die tomorrow. It took me a long time to understand how old I was. I feel so young, so full of life, not like 72 years old at all. I want to live much longer."

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What do you look forward to?

"I wish for impossible things, like I would love to see my granddaughters grow up. But it's not going to happen. I want to be healthy, especially mentally healthy. I'm very eager to be clear-headed, to continue having the joy for life that I have. Having desires is something that always excites me. I want to travel and always to know more. I would like to be more social, to spend time with those who I love, but also with the ones I haven't yet met. To have more conversations with interesting people."

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What is your biggest concern?

"I'm in such a good moment that I can't think of anything that concerns me. I have a healthy family, a nice marriage. I've worked a lot in the social field, so I have a strong sense of gratitude. I'm privileged and grateful for it. If my husband is gone before me, I'd miss him terribly, but I don't grieve in advance. As time passes, I think about it and prepare myself. When my children were young, I was terrified of dying. I don't want to die, but today I can. There's not a single concern that keeps me awake."

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Life expectancy 2023

76.18
years
Brazil

About the photographer

Maíra Erlich

🌐

Maira Erlich is a Brazilian documentary photographer with a special interest in social matters, human rights, family and culture. Her work has appeared in The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, among others.

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