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Not many of us stop to think about what our parents’ lives were like before we came along. We only know them as the responsible adults who went to work every day and forced us to do our homework and eat vegetables. But before us, they led completely different lives and looked way different, which only photos can now prove. 

A TikTok trend that has been floating around for some time encouraged kids to share this proof with others, and boy, did they deliver. Below you’ll find many photos of parents from their cool past, where they look like they might as well have been models.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Smiling woman with headscarf sharing a story and a young woman wearing a colorful hat by the water, showcasing cooler and hotter parents.

syrihan Report

Final score:
59points
POST
skipscales avatar
Jay Scales
Jay Scales
Community Member
1 year ago

Was she a model? Gorgeous!

13
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    #2

    Side-by-side images showing a dad looking down and a young man gazing thoughtfully, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    yzelle.lim Report

    Final score:
    48points
    POST
    sheilachris80 avatar
    Lyop
    Lyop
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Woah!

    7
    7points
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    #3

    Two photos showing a teenage girl with her mother and a glamorous vintage portrait highlighting kids realizing their cooler parents.

    sophiat24 Report

    Final score:
    47points
    POST
    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    Still stunning

    20
    20points
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    #4

    Side-by-side images of a woman reflecting on her past confidence and beauty, highlighting kids realizing parents are cooler and hotter.

    spa.kle Report

    Final score:
    47points
    POST
    pr_20 avatar
    P R
    P R
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I can see why...Very Cute Hot Stuff!

    11
    11points
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    #5

    Side-by-side photos of a dad and his younger, muscular self showing cooler and hotter parents.

    laynlifts Report

    Final score:
    45points
    POST
    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    Oh my goodness

    15
    15points
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    #6

    Side-by-side photos showing a mom looking cool and a younger stylish woman, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    dontevaplayy Report

    Final score:
    45points
    POST
    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She sure had the sass.

    12
    12points
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    #7

    Two photos of a stylish woman showcasing cool and attractive vibes, highlighting parents being cooler and hotter than kids.

    ninasimoneyt Report

    Final score:
    44points
    POST
    eva-katherinesmith avatar
    Kitty Smith
    Kitty Smith
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I think she grew even hotter.

    41
    41points
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    #8

    Side-by-side images showing a cooler and hotter dad in two different eras, highlighting parent coolness and style.

    rfln6 Report

    Final score:
    44points
    POST
    marisaruffolo avatar
    Sunshine
    Sunshine
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Very handsome!

    13
    13points
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    #9

    Woman in glasses working on a craft and a confident young woman posing, showing cooler and hotter parents.

    estellayruma Report

    Final score:
    43points
    POST
    farahkamal_1 avatar
    Farah (she/her)
    Farah (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    HOLY GORGEOUS SHE NEEDS TO DEBUT IN A KPOP GROUP

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    #10

    Side-by-side photos of a woman smiling at a party and her younger self, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    shannoncaturano Report

    Final score:
    41points
    POST
    saba81de avatar
    Sandra Bartsch
    Sandra Bartsch
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Beauty then and now

    26
    26points
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    #11

    Smiling woman celebrating birthday with cake next to vintage portrait highlighting cooler, hotter parents realization.

    lila.lebel Report

    Final score:
    40points
    POST
    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She favors Astrud Gilberto (The Girl From Ipanema).

    6
    6points
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    #12

    Side-by-side photos of a father and son showcasing the cooler and hotter side of parents in kids' eyes.

    manuuroman8 Report

    Final score:
    39points
    POST
    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    He’s barely aged

    28
    28points
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    #13

    Man in gray Nike tracksuit standing indoors next to vintage photo of his cooler and hotter parent from the 80s or 90s.

    rebeccaraccagnii Report

    Final score:
    38points
    POST
    sylbaker avatar
    Sylvia Baker
    Sylvia Baker
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Still could

    12
    12points
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    #14

    Side-by-side images showing a mom making a funny face and a younger photo highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    kaylakosuga Report

    Final score:
    37points
    POST
    saba81de avatar
    Sandra Bartsch
    Sandra Bartsch
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Barely aged, still very beautiful

    13
    13points
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    #15

    Side-by-side images of a man now and in his youth showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them

    sofiakauderer Report

    Final score:
    37points
    POST
    sudeepsarkar72 avatar
    Sudeep Sarkar
    Sudeep Sarkar
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    3
    3points
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    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Older and younger photos of a woman showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than they'll ever be.

    lplanet Report

    Final score:
    35points
    POST
    kellyh_wilder avatar
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    There's something extra special to me about simple (homely?) beauty. Of all the pics on this list so far, this is the one person I would most want to hang out with and get to know.

    10
    10points
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    #17

    Side-by-side portraits of a mother and daughter highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    audr3iaa Report

    Final score:
    33points
    POST
    farahkamal_1 avatar
    Farah (she/her)
    Farah (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Wow pretty mum!

    2
    2points
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    #18

    Side-by-side images of a woman now and in her younger days showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    iormaiwonderwal Report

    Final score:
    32points
    POST
    skipscales avatar
    Jay Scales
    Jay Scales
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    IDK why, but the 'before' pic reminds me of the photos that used to advertise knitting patterns....

    10
    10points
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    #19

    Side-by-side images showing a stylish mom at the mall and a vintage photo of her younger, cooler self with friends.

    aidabeatrice28 Report

    Final score:
    31points
    POST
    rtommo avatar
    r tommo
    r tommo
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She looks great then and now

    11
    11points
    reply
    #20

    Smiling woman today and glamorous younger photo showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    myaelder112 Report

    Final score:
    31points
    POST
    jesse_10 avatar
    Jesse
    Jesse
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Lovely smile

    8
    8points
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    #21

    Older man sharing stories alongside a black-and-white photo showing cooler and hotter parents from their youth.

    soysamariaa Report

    Final score:
    30points
    POST
    philiphosea avatar
    Phil
    Phil
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    When you look up 'lantern jaw' in the Oxford English Dictionary, it is just the picture on the right.

    5
    5points
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    #22

    Side-by-side photos of a woman showing her current look and a vintage portrait, highlighting parents looking cooler and hotter.

    heylouie24 Report

    Final score:
    28points
    POST
    catrionn avatar
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She looks like Appollonia Kotero in the young picture.

    8
    8points
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    #23

    Side-by-side photos showing a woman smiling today and a vintage portrait of her looking cool and confident, highlighting cooler parents.

    seint_ts Report

    Final score:
    28points
    POST
    philiphosea avatar
    Phil
    Phil
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Is it me, or do popped collars look better on women than men?

    8
    8points
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    #24

    Man in a baseball cap recalling rejecting girls when young, alongside a young man smiling, showing cooler and hotter parents realization.

    fionaaandres Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    saderman avatar
    Shelli Aderman
    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    He’s still young!

    6
    6points
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    #25

    Side-by-side images showing a woman holding a box and a younger woman with dogs, highlighting cooler and hotter parents.

    yamilaagrc Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    feliciacahoon avatar
    Bi.Felicia
    Bi.Felicia
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    Natural beauty

    4
    4points
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    #26

    Man reflecting on his dad's cooler and hotter past as a heartbreaker, with vintage photo and birthday cake.

    dumplingn00dle Report

    Final score:
    27points
    POST
    kellyh_wilder avatar
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Kelly H. Wilder
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I've watched too many true crime movies. I thought the stripe on his chest was a chair strap (electric or polygraph both crossed my mind before I realized what it actually was).

    5
    5points
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    #27

    Dad sharing stories while son listens to music in retro outfit, highlighting kids realizing their parents were cooler and hotter.

    melliescl Report

    Final score:
    25points
    POST
    mikefitzpatrick avatar
    Mike F
    Mike F
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not in that outfit he didn't. 😅😅

    49
    49points
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    #28

    Side-by-side photos showing a woman in glasses today and a younger, cooler version of her in the past, highlighting parents being cooler.

    beanbag040 Report

    Final score:
    23points
    POST
    ldornell avatar
    SaraCapybara
    SaraCapybara
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I like the disembodied arm.

    8
    8points
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    #29

    Young adults realizing their parents are cooler and hotter, featuring a mom who rejected many guys when younger.

    oxfordyee Report

    Final score:
    23points
    POST
    tarja-eade avatar
    Tarja Eade
    Tarja Eade
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She's very beautiful

    4
    4points
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    #30

    Father and son at a restaurant with text about kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    kewin.engvall Report

    Final score:
    22points
    POST
    marshalldavies avatar
    Agfox
    Agfox
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Not sure I agree with this one

    19
    19points
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    #31

    Mom cooking in kitchen smiling next to a vintage photo showing kids realizing their parents were cooler and hotter.

    brialyssaaa Report

    Final score:
    20points
    POST
    tarja-eade avatar
    Tarja Eade
    Tarja Eade
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    She's even more beautiful now

    20
    20points
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    #32

    Older woman in casual colorful shirt speaking, and a younger woman in vintage outfit sitting outdoors showing cooler and hotter parents.

    underbambo0 Report

    Final score:
    19points
    POST
    dnahcrama avatar
    Alison Marchand
    Alison Marchand
    Community Member
    10 months ago

    I like her colorful tastes!

    0
    0points
    reply
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    #33

    Side-by-side photos of a man now and in the 90s showing a cool and hotter look, highlighting kids realizing parents' style.

    johnnyleglocks Report

    Final score:
    18points
    POST
    saderman avatar
    Shelli Aderman
    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    It’s not nice to publicly post pics of folks just after their toking session… 😂

    4
    4points
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    #34

    Side-by-side photos showing a dad with a playful expression and a younger version of him looking cool and confident, highlighting parents cooler and hotter than kids.

    maliatohitau Report

    Final score:
    18points
    POST
    marsom1103 avatar
    SCP 4666
    SCP 4666
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    Tell me you're from the 80/90s by simply showing me a picture 😊

    21
    21points
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    #35

    Smiling woman today and younger photo wearing dress, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    ivanaalawi Report

    Final score:
    18points
    POST
    alzbeta-turzakova avatar
    Flexi Panda
    Flexi Panda
    Community Member
    11 months ago

    Beautiful then and now

    0
    0points
    reply
    #36

    Woman celebrating with cake and text about kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    danzelrafter Report

    Final score:
    15points
    POST
    saderman avatar
    Shelli Aderman
    Shelli Aderman
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    And break them she did, with that kíller side-eye! 😂💕

    7
    7points
    reply
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    #37

    Woman showing confidence and style in a black dress, highlighting cooler and hotter parents kids admire.

    whosandrescortez Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    aprilpickett_3846 avatar
    April Pickett
    April Pickett
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I think she looks better now.

    11
    11points
    reply
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    #38

    A man sharing a story alongside a vintage photo of a young man, showing kids realizing parents are cooler and hotter.

    flaviayactayodiaz Report

    Final score:
    14points
    POST
    #39

    Middle-aged man sharing a story on a couch next to a vintage photo of a younger, shirtless cool and attractive dad.

    mmmjoemele Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    frankieeneks avatar
    Frunkadunk
    Frunkadunk
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Isn't this that TikTok dad?

    8
    8points
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    #40

    Side-by-side photos of a confident parent and a younger person, highlighting kids realizing their parents are cooler.

    dudex.x Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    rolandcharron avatar
    Eugene the Jeep
    Eugene the Jeep
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Now we know why.

    11
    11points
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    #41

    Woman in a blue dress smiling confidently, illustrating kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter than them.

    arielsky5 Report

    Final score:
    11points
    POST
    farahkamal_1 avatar
    Farah (she/her)
    Farah (she/her)
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited)

    I saw the fatshaming coming from mileeees away (She's still pretty)

    8
    8points
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    #42

    Side-by-side images of a woman looking surprised and a younger woman in a yellow jacket signing a document, showing cool parents.

    adriannnoi Report

    Final score:
    8points
    POST
    catrionn avatar
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Sarah Connor?

    2
    2points
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    #43

    Side-by-side photos showing a dad sharing cool stories and a vintage image capturing his younger, stylish self.

    sarahjacksonjensen Report

    Final score:
    6points
    POST
    angrygemini90 avatar
    Bambi
    Bambi
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    Doubt it

    4
    4points
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    #44

    Side-by-side images of a dad in the present and younger years, showing kids realizing their parents are cooler and hotter.

    t.j.kramer Report

    Final score:
    4points
    POST
    rustyscate avatar
    rustyscate
    rustyscate
    Community Member
    Premium     1 year ago

    Good one hahaha

    15
    15points
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