Success can come at any age, and for several iconic women, their careers only took off after they turned 40.

While society often celebrates the youthful achievers, these remarkable individuals remind us that significant accomplishments can happen later in life.

In recognition of Women’s History Month, let’s explore six exceptional women who reached their career heights after the age of 40.

Vera Wang

Before becoming synonymous with high-end bridal fashion, Vera Wang was a competitive figure skater, winning national championships in 1968 and 1969. After earning an art history degree from Sarah Lawrence College, she joined Vogue as a fashion editor at just 23. Following a 15-year tenure, she transitioned to Ralph Lauren as an accessories director.

It wasn't until 1989, when Vera was 40 and planning her wedding, that she envisioned opening her bridal boutique. Disappointed by the available options, she designed her own gown, costing $10,000.

With financial backing from her father, she launched her first boutique at the Carlyle Hotel in New York City in 1990. Today, Vera Wang boutiques are found worldwide.

Julia Child

Julia Child didn’t pick up cooking until she was 36 years old.

Initially aspiring to be a novelist, she wrote plays and stories without success. After graduating from Smith College, Julia worked in advertising but was fired for insubordination.

During World War II, she served as a research assistant for a new intelligence agency, traveling globally to deliver classified documents.

After her husband was stationed in Paris, Julia enrolled in a French cooking course at Le Cordon Bleu. There, she and fellow students established their cooking school, L’Ecole de Trois Gourmandes. Their acclaimed cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” was published in 1961.

Julia gained fame with her cooking show, “The French Chef,” which premiered when she was 40, later reaching 96 stations nationwide.

Nina Zagat

Nina Zagat and her husband Tim weren’t always restaurant critics.

In 1979, they were corporate lawyers in Paris, where Nina took cooking classes while working. They began compiling restaurant summaries in Paris and, upon returning to New York, sought feedback from friends.

In the 1980s, they turned this idea into a business, releasing their first guide in 1982. By 1985, the Zagat Guide had outsold the New York Times restaurant guide, increasing annual sales from 40,000 to 75,000 copies. They later expanded to cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

Tim left law in 1987 to focus full-time on Zagat, with Nina following in 1990 at age 48.

In 2011, Google acquired Zagat for $125 million.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis was destined for the stage.

After graduating with a theater degree, she attended Juilliard. In 1996, at 31, she debuted on Broadway in “Seven Guitars.” By 2001, she won her first Tony Award for “King Hedley II.”

Viola then appeared on television in shows like “City of Angels” and “Law & Order.” Small film roles followed, including one in “Antwone Fisher,” leading to an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Her breakout came with her role in “Doubt,” alongside Meryl Streep, earning her an Academy Award nomination at 43.

Toni Morrison

Before her literary accolades, Toni Morrison worked behind the scenes as an editor.

In the 1960s, she edited at Random House while raising two sons as a single mother. She also taught English at universities and obtained a master’s from Cornell, focusing on Virginia Woolf and William Faulkner.

At 39, her debut novel, “The Bluest Eye,” was published, receiving critical acclaim but modest sales. Her second novel, “Sula,” earned an American Book Award nomination. However, it was her third novel, “Song of Solomon,” that brought her national recognition and the National Book Critics Award at age 46.

Lucille Ball

Lucille Ball was once dismissed from drama school.

Sent to drama school at 15 by her mother, Lucy struggled, especially with Bette Davis as a star student. The school informed her mother that Lucy was wasting her time.

She left school but continued modeling in New York under the name Diane Belmont. In the early 1930s, she moved to Hollywood, accumulating over 70 film roles, yet still sought leading parts.

With encouragement from her husband, Desi Arnaz, Lucy ventured into radio, landing a lead role in “My Favorite Husband,” which CBS wanted to adapt for television.

After negotiations, she became the first woman to run a television production company, Desilu, with Desi. When “I Love Lucy” premiered in 1951, Lucy was 40 years old.