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She's been "stealing your man since 1928," has her own beauty collection at Sephora, 3 million followers on Instagram, and Rihanna and Miley Cyrus are her fans. Meet Helen Ruth Elam van Winkle, also known as Baddie Winkle - a 95-year-old Southerner Instagram icon who became an internet sensation back in 2014.
Before rising to fame, she led a pretty normal life in Waco, Kentucky. She had a small 6-acre farm, took care of her great-grandkids, kept her garden nice, and went to church every Sunday. Then, one day, her great-granddaughter snapped a picture of Grandma Helen in a pair of cut-off shorts and a tie-dye t-shirt. With some help from the same great-granddaughter, she set up her Instagram account on which she posted the picture. "I'm a bad b**ch; always been a rebel," Helen, who uses the username Baddie Winkle, says. "So we decided 'bad' — 'baddie.' And then my last name was van Winkle, so we put the Winkle on." Baddie Winkle's first post quickly went viral, and the number of her followers grew steadily over time.
Baddie Winkle took social media by storm with her bright, eccentric, and eclectic outfits and 'zero f**ks given' attitude. While her sense of style might not be everyone's cup of tea, we can surely all agree on one thing - the confidence of this woman is inspiring. So scroll down below to see some of the most-liked posts from Baddie Winkle, and vote for the ones that you like the most!
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#2
kate rieke 5 years ago
Looks like the old song, "Go Granny, Go Granny, Go Granny Go" she is just too darn cool.
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#3
Who is Baddie Winkle?
Grandma Helen is Baddie Winkle and Baddie Winkle is Grandma Helen! But you might also know her by her full name, Helen Ruth Elam Van Winkle, or her Instagram handle, Baddiewinkle.
So, who is the notorious Grandma Helen? Helen was born in Hazard, Kentucky, a tiny home rule-class city with around 5,000 inhabitants as of 2020. Although not much is known about Baddie Winkle young days’ endeavors, we learned that Grandma Baddie was once married to Earl George Van Winkle and, sadly, has been a widow since 1983. Another thing we’ve learned about her is that she might very well be a vegan since she launched a vegan-formulated cosmetics line a couple of years ago.
#4
Susan Gardner 5 years ago
Her silver hair is gorgeous. I wish I had a small fraction of the joy for life she must feel!
#5
Womaninsky Kasinsky 5 years ago
Her body must have made men turn into a puddle of goo, in her day. But still freaking sexy!!
#6
Tara Stevens 5 years ago
Have I become THAT person?...if the genders were reversed would this still be cool?
Rachel 5 years ago
She likely had permission to touch him. Touching is ok with consent.
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Maryann Radulski 5 years ago
just like my mom, loved all the boys who came to her nursing home.(firemen, cops,etc)
catrina m 5 years ago
it’s not groping if she had consent, which she almost certainly did. don’t go using the word groping lightly — it’s a strong accusation. and saying she looks like a f*****g idiot is just rude, unnecessary, and hateful. bye :)
Load More Replies...What is Baddie Winkle Famous for?
Baddie Winkle became known as the oldest Instagram influencer when her career unexpectedly took off in 2014. Grandma Helen, then merely an 85-year-old, helped her great-granddaughter publish her photo to X (earlier known as Twitter), wearing a youthful outfit. Helen’s outfit caught the attention of the Internet, and a star was born.
However, Baddie Winkle isn’t just about fashionable outfits and entertaining photos! Baddie’s mission is to fight ageism with her eccentric looks and fun photoshoots, to teach people to look at their lives with humor and to counter the fashion industry’s false limitations and imagery with her own unadorned images. Oh, and she’s also actively promoting the legalization of medical marijuana!
And if you were wondering about the numbers Baddie Winkle's net worth has accumulated, it’s been speculated that she’s worth around $1 to $5 million. Way to go, Baddie Grandma!
#8
Bobrossissenpai 5 years ago
Can I just say, her legs look like a 20 year olds legs. How does she do this?
Random Panda 5 years ago
Leggings. You can see in other photos where her legs are bare that they do look her age. She's still in great shape though.
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Michalina Prokop 5 years ago
I wish I could pull off latex right now, I'm 30
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Ava Florine 5 years ago
i'm 14 and i have worse and more wrinkly legs than hers
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Kim Lee 5 years ago
She has those good, eternal Tina Turner legs! So jealous! I can only hope to have these at 90
Kimberley Thom 5 years ago
where does she get those clothes? I want to borrow if not have some of her outfits and accessories.
Susan Krol 5 years ago
Oh hell yes. I've been wearing platform shoes since I was 18 and will wear them at 90. 65 now.
#14
Sihle Brian Gcwabaza 5 years ago
I'd be jealous if I was the grandchild and steel that jacket for a day and wear it. and I'll be eyeing out what I would take when she dies
#15
Lua Lazarovic 5 years ago
She actually looks better in a dress than I think I do... she is my new target. I wish to enjoy myself as much as she does these photo-shoots. Go go cool lady!
#16
Matthew Smith 5 years ago
S**t I've gone blind, YOU COULD HAVE WARNED US OF THE BRIGHT COLOURS!
catrina m 5 years ago
yes yes yes yesyesy es yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Leslie O 5 years ago
She's got seriously good genes! She probably gets a lot of exercise too!
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#18
kate rieke 5 years ago
Eye lashes even match everything. Love this little Lady! I think she's my new mentor and idol.
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#20
Ania Barrett 5 years ago
Wow, it's surprising to see she has kept her youth despite being a smoker
Sinkvenice 5 years ago
I'm a 37 year old smoker and yesterday got asked for ID when buying tobacco. I'm ID'd all the time for alcohol too. It's annoying when I don't have my driver's license with me but I guess it's a compliment!
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Marcellus the Third 5 years ago
Wait is that St. Paul's, London in the background? So she's flying intercontinentally?
#21
I'm.in.wonderland 5 years ago (edited)
Omg! My 12-year-old sister has that same shirt! (They both look equally stunning) I'm not surprised that she pulls that off! :)
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ANDREA SERRANO MORALES 5 years ago
more hush less war should be told to sum president. and i oop
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Cold Contagious 5 years ago
That looks so mod throw back fabulous. My grandma would have loved the internet, Instagram, etc. She had lots of color and style in her wardrobe and always wore great red lipstick! Damn this makes me miss her so much in the best way.
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#29
catrina m 5 years ago
there’s no need to be mean — what do u get out of dissing a confident, bright, and bubbly old lady
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#30
Damien O Callaghan 5 years ago
WAYNE ROONEY IS HER NUMBER ONE FAN.............You know what he is like
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Cold Contagious 5 years ago
Looks fantastic! The dress and sneaks look amazing. She's crushing it 🌈
Susan Gardner 5 years ago
and where does she FIND these amazing clothes and accessories?!!
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#40
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
The photo is really cool because of the room decor (- the Care Bears), her outfit, and the Playboy magazines. I know she looks marvelous, but covering the panties would have been a better move for the photo. The black doesn't look appealing. Maybe a different color would have been better 😉. A pinkish to match the boots would have been better than black.
#44
Ninja Kitty 5 years ago
(no offense i SWEAR TO ALL THE UwU's IN THE WORLD) she looks like a teenager in a 90 year old costume!!! UwU
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Final score:
11points
#57
Cold Contagious 5 years ago
The dress is cute and I can see why she would like it. It doesn't really flatter her tho, but looks super comfy and cool.
ANDREA SERRANO MORALES 5 years ago
adding a bling to her cane adds a whole different definition
#59
Ninja Kitty 5 years ago
SANTA CLAUS!!!! HOW DARE YOU PHOTOBOMB THIS NICE LADY!?!?!?!? HOW DARE YUUUUU?????? UwU
Becca Gizmo the Squirrel 5 years ago
Please tell me she drops off her great grandkids at school while dressed like thus!
#60
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Bobby's Girl 5 years ago
Seriously! LOOK at her! Imma take up smoking and drinking right now XD
Gail Swearngin 5 years ago
@heather johnson that was uncalled for. Salty much?
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Cold Contagious 5 years ago
This makes me miss my grandma in the best way. She wore vibrant colors, always wore red lipstick, and always dressed nice to leave the house. When I would visit, she would do up her pin curls and in warm evenings sit outside on the patio with friends from her hood and drink mixed drinks and have a social gathering. Like a cocktail hour or two. She was a fabulous woman, greatly missed. This lady is amazing.
KombatBunni 5 years ago
I reckon my Grandma would have let me dress her up at age 90 too..she was never afraid of a bit of fun and seeing Baddie makes me miss my Nan. The world needs more people like this lady, so full of life and never afraid to have a laugh <3
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Bored Birgit 5 years ago
Every single photo of her is so full of joy of living and makes me smile. Thank you.
Bobby's Girl 5 years ago
Seriously! LOOK at her! Imma take up smoking and drinking right now XD
Gail Swearngin 5 years ago
@heather johnson that was uncalled for. Salty much?
Load More Replies... Cold Contagious 5 years ago
This makes me miss my grandma in the best way. She wore vibrant colors, always wore red lipstick, and always dressed nice to leave the house. When I would visit, she would do up her pin curls and in warm evenings sit outside on the patio with friends from her hood and drink mixed drinks and have a social gathering. Like a cocktail hour or two. She was a fabulous woman, greatly missed. This lady is amazing.
KombatBunni 5 years ago
I reckon my Grandma would have let me dress her up at age 90 too..she was never afraid of a bit of fun and seeing Baddie makes me miss my Nan. The world needs more people like this lady, so full of life and never afraid to have a laugh <3
Load More Replies... Bored Birgit 5 years ago
Every single photo of her is so full of joy of living and makes me smile. Thank you.
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