Being a woman in Hollywood is tough, but Sally Field has refused to follow many of its “rules.”

We love her roles in Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Steel Magnolias. But what we admire most is how she stands against ageism and bullying throughout her career

At 78, Field still shines with the same energy she had at 19, even while facing criticism about her appearance

Field had a difficult start, including dealing with sexual abuse from her stepfather, Jock Mahoney. She revealed this in her 2018 memoir, according to The New York Times.

Her first big role was in the 1960s sitcom Gidget. This success opened the door for more serious roles in movies like Sybil and Norma Rae, which won her an Academy Award.

Over time, she became known for playing strong mothers in movies like Soap Dish and Not Without My Daughter.

On The Flying Nun, Field remembered an older actress helping her during a hard time by giving her a kind note.

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Field has spoken openly about aging gracefully. In a 2016 Good Housekeeping interview, she said she accepts being an “old woman” and chooses to age naturally because getting older is a fact of life.

She said she focuses on appreciating how she looks now rather than trying to look like her younger self through plastic surgery.

“I see myself on TV and think, ‘Oh, I wish that weren’t happening to my neck.’ But your face falls, your eyes puff up—that’s life,” she admitted.

By embracing natural aging, Field has unfortunately become a target for cruel online comments. Trolls on X (formerly Twitter) have called her “ugly” and insulted her looks. These hurtful comments are sadly common for celebrities.

Despite the negativity, Field chooses to ignore the trolls and stick to her decision to age naturally.

She also deals with osteoporosis, a silent illness she was diagnosed with before turning 60 in 2005. This condition, which weakens bones, is more common in women due to hormonal changes during menopause.

“I always knew I was at risk,” Field told WebMD. “I’m small-boned, thin, Caucasian, and was approaching 60. But I was shocked at how quickly osteoporosis developed.”

She explained, “My bones were thinning steadily, even though I couldn’t see or feel it happening.”

While it’s upsetting to see Field bullied online, her decision to age gracefully inspires others to do the same.