World's oldest female bodybuilder looks unrecognisable from her youth

In an incredible feat, a fitness-mad gran Ernestine Shepherd, 86, holds the record for the world's oldest living performing female bodybuilder and opened up about her success

Harry Thompson Senior Features Writer

20:32, 08 Dec 2022

Don't let age get in the way (Image: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The worlds oldest female performing bodybuilder has claimed that shes in the best shape of her life and looks completely different to how she did when she was younger.

At the astonishing age of 86 Ernestine Shepherd continues to blow minds.

In 2010 earned the Guinness World Record title as the world's oldest living female competitive bodybuilder, all in the name of her beloved sister.

Her diet is astonishing, putting away a handful of walnuts and 10 egg whites every morning, as well as eating chicken and vegetables.

But it isnt just weightlifting she smashes, pulling a whopping 80 miles worth of running each and every week.

She reckons that the wild diet is the trick to her incredible ability to go on and on with her massive runs.

[Ernestine wasn't into body building when she was younger ]

Ernestine wasn't into bodybuilding when she was younger (Image: shepherdernestine / Instagram)

Now, at 86, she is bench pressing 115lbs.

From Baltimore in the USA, she also wakes up in the early hours, at 4am, to get her workouts in.

Perhaps most astonishing about the gran, The Sun reports, is that she only began living this way when she was 56.

The lifestyle has proven a massive change in her attitude to exercise compared to her youth.

[She's 86 now and still loves lifting ]

She's 86 now and still loves lifting (Image: shepherdernestine / Instagram)

She said that, when she was younger, she had been prissy with her approach to exercise.

Now though, she cant get enough.

Everything changed when she went out with her sister, Velvet, who was 57 at the time looking for swimwear.

The trip led to them both pledging to get into better knick, and soon started lifting weights with the help of their local church.

Tragically, Velvet later died from a brain aneurysm.

[Ernestine Shepherd got where she is today in the name of her sister ]

Ernestine Shepherd got where she is today in the name of her sister (Image: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Tough times followed for Ernestine, who said: I went to pieces; I didnt want to do anything It was an awful way to live."

A visit from Velvet in a dream and the support of her mates eventually got her moving again, inspiring her to set out and break a world record for her sister.

She even reached out for help from an ex-Mr Universe, Yohnnie Shambourger.

[She smashed the record in 2010 ]

She smashed the record in 2010 (Image: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Then, in 2010 and with huge amounts of work, she entered a competition and won, leading Guinness World records to contact her and crown her a record holder.

She said: Ill never forget standing on that stage as I collected my medal and certificate.

"'Ive done what you wanted, Velvet', I remember saying as tears filled my eyes."

[She even runs 80 miles a week ]

She even runs 80 miles a week (Image: The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Shes allegedly chatted with Oprah Winfrey and has even been featured in Beyonces Black is King music video.

"It was a wonderful, wonderful experience. Beyonce made me feel like a queen. I felt so honoured, she said.

"I felt like I had the power to smile again. Beyonce has no idea what she's done for me."

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