Bonnie Crombie recently marked a milestone birthday—one that typically calls for a big celebration with family and friends. Instead, she spent the day preparing for a debate, deep in the trenches of her fast-moving political campaign.

As the Ontario Liberal Party leader, Crombie sat down for an interview ahead of her birthday, admitting that missing time with loved ones weighed on her more than the number itself. But at 65, and in the thick of a whirlwind election campaign, the milestone also sparked reflections on ageism and the double standards women face in politics and beyond.

A Fighter in Politics and Perception

Crombie, who launched her political career at 47, has never shied away from a fight—especially when it comes to pushing back against gendered criticisms. During the 2023 Liberal leadership race, she took issue with rival Nate Erskine-Smith’s suggestion that she might not stay on for multiple election cycles. She slammed the comment as ageist, and it’s clear the remark still lingers.