Jane Fonda has never been afraid of dying, but she is afraid of dying of regret.
The Hollywood icon, 87, opened up about her journey of coming to terms with her mortality during her appearance at Michelle Obama’s The look podcast, where she was joined by activist Bethann Hardison and Real Housewives of New York star Jenna Lyons.
“I’ve never been afraid of growing older, and more importantly, I’m not afraid of dying,” Fonda said.
The Grace & Frankie star was reflecting on her 60th birthday when she realized, “This is the beginning of my last act, and I didn’t know how to live with it.”
She said the death of her father Henry Fonda in 1982 at the age of 77 made her realize her true fear: dying with regret.
“That was an important realization for me, because if you don’t want to die with regrets, then you have to live the last part of your life in such a way that there will be no regrets,” Fonda thought.
She also revealed one of her last moments with her late father on his deathbed, when she told him she loved him and forgave him for “whatever didn’t happen.”
“He didn’t say anything. But he was crying… I had never seen my father break down and cry,” she admitted, adding that “it was powerful.”
After that experience, Fonda realized, “I also wanted to be surrounded by people who love me. Forgiveness plays a role, including forgiving myself. That has guided me for the past thirty years. I have lived to have no regrets.”
The Oscar winner is just a month away from her birthday on December 21, and she has never been happier.
She said: “The fact that I’m almost 18 is amazing to me. And what’s even more amazing is that I’m doing better now. I wouldn’t go back for anything. I feel more centered, more whole and more complete. I’m very happy. Single.”
Fonda’s statement prompted Obama to tell her, “I’m a fan of yours.”
