CHECK OUT ZIMBIO'S 50 SEXIEST WOMEN OVER 50

Just a few of Zimbio's 50 Sexiest Women Over 50.  Getty Images.

Ten years ago, Madonna turned 40.  It was, of course, a huge affair, as Madonna was (and still is) synonymous with celebrity, and cantankerous pop culture theorists found it a staggering victory on her part that she still managed to be relevant at such an age.  Everywhere, the news of her birthday was upon us.  It was almost akin to the Y2K countdown.

This was 1998, before reality TV had killed the video star.  VH1 made sure its viewers stayed well aware of the impending milestone by flickering "Madonna Turns 40 in _____ Hours!" across younger incarnations of the singer wriggling onscreen.   Then she turned 40, and--to the shock of the entertainment world--it didn't seem to change anything.

Things have changed.  In August, Madonna turned 50, and while the paparazzi managed to get plenty of shots of her entering and exiting her London party, this birthday didn't seem such a big deal.
Madonna and Guy Ritchie attending her 50th birthday party at uber trendy 'Volstead Club'. Photo by Flynet Pictures.

Perhaps it's because there are now so many beautiful women who are breaking barriers in a formerly youth-obsessed industry.  Sure, cynics may credit plastic surgery for the staying power of these women, but they're overlooking the fact that surgeried or not, these women are fascinating to watch.  Some we've loved for decades, while others hit their strides later in life.  All are alluringly mature, and all are sexy.