5 People Who Figured Out Their Career Later in Life

Author

Team MetaApply

Published on November 6, 2025
There is no success guide

It is never too late to find success, and there are people who have proved it.

While the world belongs to those who have accomplished something meticulous at a very young age and have become a known household name, inspiring others to do well. There are still some who got to know their true potential later in life and are now some big names.

As you get the constant criticism from family, siblings, or society to do something, and the constant comparison may drive you crazy, but it’s okay if you have no idea of what you want to be and what you want to do. It is because if you are passionate and ambitious then what is yours will come to you no matter what.

To inspire you, today, we are going to share the story of 5 people who figured out their careers later in life. So, relax if you have no idea of your future for now, by the end of this blog, you will get the right motivation.

5 People Who Figured Out Their Career Later in Life

There is no for sure guidebook for success. While some people achieve success in something on their first try, there are plenty of people who try, fail, learn, and try again. Today, in this blog, we are sharing the 5 stories of people who failed a thousand times in life and for whom every day survival was a tough task, but through constant efforts and precision, they become the big names that they are today. So, let’s explore the stories of 5 such inspiring individuals.

1. Walt Disney

Do you know the creator of Micky Mouse was once fired from his newspaper job and tagged as he “lacks creativity”? The man who created a fictional world, a studio, and countless memorable

that will live with each individual was once fired from his job just because his ideas weren’t creative enough. After getting fired from his job, Sir Walt Disney, at the age of 30, founded the Disney Brothers Studio which evolved into one of the world’s biggest entertainment empires. It was Walt’s unwavering commitment and determination that never faded, making him the man he is today. His journey is inspiration for people who struggle with mid-life crisis when they couldn’t figure out whether they should pursue their job blindly or take that risk. Well, nobody got success in life without taking risks.

2. Vera Wang

You might not know this, but Vera Wang, the famous fashion designer of bridal dresses never even went to a fashion school. Vera Wang started her career in the ice rink as a figure skater. After naming several awards to her name, when she decided to get married, frustrated by the lack of stylish options in bridal wear, she designer her own wedding gown, seeding the idea of a multimillion-dollar fashion empire. After launching her own bridal wear brand, Vera moved forward to join as the fashion editor of Voge. The transitions in life from one thing to other until she reached where she is today, Vera didn’t stop, inspiring people that one unknown turn in life can bring something beautiful to life and can change your life.

3. Harland Sanders

If you enjoy junk food, then KFC must be one of your go-to places. But do you know the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, Colonel Harland Sanders didn’t achieve fame until his 60s. Before making that name that KFC is today, Harland worked as a labourer, salesman, and even ran a gas station. It wasn’t until his 40s hat he began cooking for travellers and perfecting chicken recipe. After facing multiple rejections, failures, and setback, he finally started a fast-food franchise that is widely known as KFC today. Sander’s late start shows that persistence is more powerful than age. He turned his failures into life lessons and passion into purpose to achieve something he could be proud of. His journey is the perfect example of you can achieve anything you want, all you need is determination.

4. Martha Stewart

A part-time model, Wall Street Stockbroker, mother, and an individual who had keen eyes for elegant representation made Martha Stewart the brand she is today. Martha’s career path took many turns, and she tried a lot of things until her true calling emerged when she began a catering business from her home in Connecticut in her 30s. Her creativity, business sense, and eye for aesthetic transformed her into a lifestyle icon and media mogul. Today, her brand represents elegance, entrepreneurship, and reinvention. Martha’s journey from a stockbroker to business

owner is inspirational for many. Her journey teaches us that passions discovered later in life can still lead to monumental success as long as you have belief in your strengths.

5. Giorgia Armani

The man, the myth, the legend; who changed the world of fashion and become the global symbol of luxury and sophistication fashion. Late Giorgio Armani spent years working in entirely different fields until he realised his true passion is in designing fashion statements. He studies medicine, served in the army, and worked as a window dresser before finding his way into fashion design at nearly 40. His understanding of elegance, minimalism, and timeless design revolutionised the fashion world, making “Armani” the synonym of redefined luxury fashion. Even though Armani had a late start, his passion for design and fashion set him apart from the rest of the world. His success today is a testament to following your intuition and daring to state anew, no matter at what age, will for sure give you the success you deserve in life with utmost determination.

Find Your True Calling with MetaApply Career Counselling

No matter at what stage of life you are at, if you don’t feel passionate about what you are doing then hold, take a breath, and figure out life. Success will always come when you are determined and true to your passion, even if it means you have to start from scratch in order to build your empire. As long as you believe in your dreams and yourself, you can accomplish anything in life.

The question here comes is what your true passion is. Instead of blindly following any career path, take MetaApply Career Counselling today to know what the best suited career path for you is. The scientifically backed Psychometric Test will show your strengths, skills, and interests; and the counselling experts will tell what your best suited career path is.

So, it’s okay if you have to start from 0, as long as you are following your passion, you can find a way to work things out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Giorgia Armani became successful in his 40s after switching from medicine and military service to fashion design, proving it’s never too late to discover your true passion.

Yes, many people achieve success later in life. With maturity, experience, and clarity, individuals often rediscover their purpose and build meaningful, impactful careers beyond their early years.

The best career after 30 depends on your passion and skills, options include digital marketing, entrepreneurship, counselling, UX design, data anlysis, education, and creative professions like writing or design.

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