If you’re divorcing after 60, there are specific names for our situation. Silver divorce. Gray divorce. Late-life divorce. Boomer divorce. We are women who have chosen divorce or have had divorce forced on us in our 50s and 60s. Whatever the reasons, after-60 divorce is becoming more common.
There are several reasons for this growing trend of divorce after 60 years of age:
- We are healthier and living longer.
- We are less willing to “settle” and stay in a bad marriage.
- We are more likely to be in second marriages in which divorce happens at a higher rate.
- There is less stigma to ending a marriage.
- Women are more independent and self-sufficient than women in earlier generations.
- It’s more acceptable for men to leave a long marriage for something new.
See also: Divorce After 50
Should I Divorce After 60?
Even though men in long marriages may be dissatisfied with the relationship, women are more likely to actually file for divorce. Sometimes, men are having affairs, abusing drugs or alcohol, or maybe even emotionally or physically abusing us. Sixty-plus men are often hopeful they can have a loving, faithful family and still do things that are destroying that relationship. Viagra is giving them a new lease on life, too.
We should definitely take our time when asking ourselves, “Should I file for divorce if I’m over 60 years old?” Seeing a marriage counselor can sometimes help, but if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already tried that, or your ex gave you no choice. Getting your own counselor is helpful in making this decision.
There are many factors that affect a serious decision to divorce after 60. Your financial situation may be the deciding factor. Women tend to be worse off financially five years after divorce. And since we live longer, we need more of a nest egg to support that longer life span.
If you are thinking about divorce after 60, you have to decide if staying in the marriage is worth what you would be giving up. If you feel like you can’t be the woman you were created to be and stay in the marriage, you should seek trusted advice or get help making the next step – talking with a divorce attorney.
Coping with Divorce After 60
There are several ways women cope with divorce after age 60. Much of it depends on whether we made the choice to divorce, or if our husband simply left the relationship. We are more likely to have intense feelings of loss if our husband simply says “I’m done.”
In many cases of late-life divorce, including mine, he simply would not give up his girlfriend. I decided I couldn’t live in a threesome, so I made the hardest decision of my life and filed myself.
After months of being in my “sobbing and screaming” stage, I finally came to the realization that I was in charge of my future. I saw an unpredictable, scary future before me, but I realized my future was up to me. Surviving divorce after 60, or anytime, is always our choice.
The biggest step forward I made was deciding that I was not going to let this destroy me. I was not going to let one person who didn’t “get” me define my life. He could live his pitiful, selfish life. I decided that I was going to use every day of my one wild, precious after-60 life in the best way possible.
But I’ll admit, it was a day-by-day decision to decide to survive and heal after divorce. It was a moment-by-moment choice to get better after that heartbreaking decision.
Depression After Divorce
After a late life divorce; we are usually thrown into a wild roller-coaster of emotions. We go from wanting him back, to wanting him dead. We have intense levels of emotions we’ve never felt before. Depression. Rage. Fear. Loneliness. Sadness.
These emotions are unbelievably hard to handle, especially when we are exhausted and overwhelmed by the whole devastating ordeal. We actually wonder how we can even survive divorce after 60.
Here are some things you can do to deal with the depression during and after divorce after 60:
- See your physician, and tell him or her what’s going on.
- Stay active. It’s vital to warding off depression.
- Do the grief work you need to do.
- Simplify your life for now.
- Revisit your own life goals and dreams.
- Be around safe people who help you move forward.
- Get help. Find a program that supports you and gives you a plan.
- Realize that choices today create your life tomorrow.
Feeling Alone
Picture a little tiny boat with you alone in it on a huge, endless ocean. That’s how most 60+ women going through divorce feel.
I had never felt the gut-wrenching loneliness I felt after divorce. I tried staying upbeat. I put on a good face, but deep down I wondered if I would ever get over my divorce.
It’s not just that you’re alone, but that no one realizes how hard this late life divorce journey is. Friends and family just want us to feel better, but they don’t understand how our heart is hurting. The dread of starting over after divorce at 60 is overwhelming. (Learn how to talk to a friend going through divorce).
Divorce after 60 usually means we are experiencing lots of other losses, too. Children have busy lives of their own. Our parents are either gone or needing more help. Friends are busy. Our body is changing. The world is flying forward, and we often feel left behind.
Feeling Inadequate or Unattractive
Especially if our husband found a new, younger woman, we lose our confidence. We feel like we’re not enough. Our ex-husband feels like his life has taken a big step forward. That reality is devastating. We’ve been traded in for a newer, shinier, faster, sexier new model. We may be 63. The new woman may be 36.
All those things made me doubt myself. I felt old and ugly and fat.
To pull myself out of that pit, I made sure I got dressed every morning. Even though you may want to stay in your sweats all day, don’t do it! Dress up to feel up!
Our emotions follow our actions. The simple acts of putting a smile on your face and standing up straight make a difference. Walk with power. Those small actions get the endorphins moving around, giving you more enthusiasm and optimism. The phrase, “Fake it ‘til you make it,” has a scientific basis.
Finances
When you are facing divorce after 60, as soon as you can, get help! One of the first things I did was meet with the guy who had done our taxes for years.
You must face your financial issues head on. Find out exactly where you stand. What you have (or will have) coming in and what your expenses will be. Regardless of how much or how little you have, knowing where you stand is empowering. It gives you a place to start.
Retirement
If you’re facing divorce after sixty. Get professional help to navigate the complicated world of Social Security and retirement. Finding a part-time job can help make ends meet, and it’s good for you socially and emotionally. You get back into the world of the living where you can contribute and be a productive part of society.
Get the word around that you’re looking for a job. Volunteer at an organization you care about. One of the women we helped hadn’t had a job in 25 years. She was unprepared to get back into the working world, so she volunteered in the neonatal ward of the local hospital.
She loved it, and someone noticed her dedication and recommended her for a part-time paying job in the hospital. That led to some training so she could take another job up the pay scale.
Another woman’s employer sent her back to school so she could qualify for a higher-paying job. Do something. Even if it’s scary, start somewhere.
Your Home
Divorce after 60 often means a change in our living arrangements. Almost all women must move to a smaller, less expensive space.
I went from a big house to a much, much smaller house after my divorce. That helped me take strides forward in my new after-divorce life. I went to sales and thrift shops, and made the house warm and welcoming. Best of all, I could afford it!
As Colin Powell said, “Home is where you are.” Friends and family will enjoy being there – or not – by how you feel about it and how they feel when they are there. Wherever you end up, whether it’s a little apartment, a retirement village or a small house, you get to choose how to deal with that new part of your life. You can choose to make it wonderful!
Recovery & Transformation
Starting over after divorce at 60, is a huge adjustment, regardless of how it happens. The fact is: You can make your future as wonderful or as miserable as you want.
You need to make the choice every day to get better. Sometimes you have to make that choice several times a day.
Getting help making those good choices every day makes all the difference in the world. Find other women on this same road. Find resources and tools to keep you moving forward. You have to do the work, but don’t try to go through this alone.
What you want after the dust of your divorce settles is a beautifully transformed life – a life where you can’t wait to get up every morning!
You have the chance to make your after-60 life into a more beautiful, adventurous, fun life than you ever expected. It’s happening to me. It’s happened to many women I’ve helped. It can happen for you.
Dating After Divorce at 60
After divorce, many women feel like they have to hurry up and find someone else. My advice is that before you even think about dating again, you need to grieve and heal and then get strong and confident again yourself. I can’t emphasize this enough!
Many second or third marriages fail because people are lonely and want someone else to make them feel worthy again. You are worthy already! I know the loneliness is worse than awful! I’ve spent those sleepless nights and agonizing days. But getting comfortable with your new single self is so, so, so important before you start dating after 60.
Use this time to re-discover your best self and what you really want. When you are moving to your new, transformed life is when you are most likely to find someone who appreciates your confident happy self no matter what your age!
Remember, your life after your divorce, yes, even divorce after 60, can be good again. Not just sort-of good. It can be a life better than you ever expected! Make it happen!
Thank you for this article. I have been married for 38 years and found out thru text messages he’s gay. He would have kept this lie going if I hadn’t seen these messages. I still love him very much, but can’t live like this. I can’t eat and just going thru a roller-coaster of emotions.
My husband just left 2 days ago after 29 years of marriage. I so needed to see this today. Thank you!
I’ve nee married 25 years to my second husband. He is on his 4th affair. The writing is on the wall. I must go but taking the first steps is sooo hard! Reading this helps.
Hi
I’m really glad I found this, I’m 64 and going through divorce after 23 yrs of marriage. It ended due to the abuse of my husband. I was delighted when I left, however he is really angry and has dragged our divorce through the courts. It’s been 2.4 yrs and I’m hoping things will be finalised this year. I am scared as it’s costly. I was though heartened by this article.
I have been married over 35 years my husband is extremely selfish he smokes and I have chronic asmatha he drinks every night and gets nasty mouthed we do not communicate anymore. He is a teacher and on supply when he has long term work he gives everything to work and at home just complains how tired he is. I had a life changing Covid experience that has left me with long covid and made my illnesses worse. Our finances are controlled by him IE separate bank accounts I have never had access to his and he gives me money every week I get benefits because of my illness. Since Covid I am questioning this marriage. I just want to live on my own without his burdens I have a great friendship group and my Church but keep a lot hidden about home. I dream of a quiet life doing my crafts meeting my friends and a bit of voluntary work my own rooms where I can relax and invite friends round. financially my needs are few . Should I leave I retire this year and will get my pension .
I’m 64 and divorcing for the second time after 26 yrs. My first husband was a drunk who died 3 years after I divorced him. My second ex-husband is 7 years younger than me and treated me more like an indentured servant than a wife. I spent my 24th and 25th anniversary crying because he didn’t want to celebrate either. I got fed up feeling like I was the one who always had to apologize for what he did to me??? I finally got the courage to end it. I had no idea what was going to happen, but even if I had to live in my car I was out. He inherited over a million dollars and tons of property, and all I got was our trailer we lived in before his stepdad died my car and 16,000 dollars. But I got my freedom and I never have to see him naked again!!!
I might be homeless but I would rather be homeless than have to be around him for 1 more day.
After 35 years of marriage (together for 45) my husband wants a divorce. There is another woman however, she lives on the opposite side of the country! He says he still loves me but is no longer in love with me and wants to pursue a relationship with her. I am devastated, shattered, and struggling in every way. How could this happen? I thought we’d be together forever… I hope I can find some comfort here and perhaps some encouragement from other over 60 aged women in the same boat.
Just this Mother’s Day, I found out the same thing about my husband for 36 years. I am familiar with all the emotions you are going through. Finding out my husband is gay. It’s just a whole new level of betrayal and lies. I pray for you.
I’ve been on a 4yr rollercoaster with a selfish man who relied so heavily on me for most of our 34yrs together I could not believe he now wants to move on with his 30 something mistress.
We tried living apart, he initially moved out for 3months. He had a break-down on his moving day (wtf?) He wouldn’t stop the affair so I moved out for 18months. I moved back home 2 yrs ago and he was supposed to stop the affair but he keeps re-starting it. Half-truths, lies, tantrums. But always insisting he didn’t want to break up.
Two days ago he told me he’s moving out again (this weekend) and needs 3 months to figure himself out. I kinda hope he is actually moving on. But in reality I need to tell myself he’s gone and tell myself I don’t need this version of him in my life anymore. I’m getting there slowly but being 60 it’s brutally hard to face this. We are not financially sound because we were very casual with our money. I want to change that now and it’s another reason I need to cut the cord. He’s gonna have to pay me spousal support, I have had legal advice already so it’s up to me to make this happen.
Thank you for dharing this! Almost 36 years of marriage and I asked for the divorce. It took the death of my sister to SEE!
Inifidelities, gas lighting, using our adult children as his confidents, twisting the truth, etc… tragic but using our kids was the last straw. No concern for their or my emotional/ mental well being.
I am clueless to my future and to whether or not I will have a relationship with my beloved children GOD IS GOOD ! Tring to hold the line. The final step is on Oct.5, 2023. I have done SO MUCH self examination ! He said I was crazy, toxic, destroying the family, etc…feeling responsible for the death of my sister. I asked him several times in the past to go to a marriage counselor which he refused. I went. I went to confession twice.
Agreed the future is scary. Trying to keep up Hope. Who knows thdir futures anyway?
As for money, he is & will fight me to the penny. It is tempting to say keep it but I would have nothing. Do not want to be a burden on anyone. And I worked for it too.
Not easy. Takes much courage, moral integrity, and maybe a bit of crazy to do this now. I feel in my heart it is right. How could I have not seen before? Only explanation I can think of is busy with kids, helping our company, another language, and MORE!
Will do the work on myself, doing it~ will continue to pray for I know God has our backs. Blessings to you all!