For Latino Communities, 50 is an Age for Celebration

Illustration of people celebrating a 50th birthday

The word Cincuentañeros means "people who are turning 50" in Spanish and symbolizes excitement about launching into the future.

Jorge Columbo

Salud, dinero y amor. Spanish for “health, wealth and love.” Three vital ingredients for a good life at any age, but for Latinos entering their 50s, having mastered these elements can be a cause for real celebration. This spring, AARP is launching a social movement called Cincuentañeros (Spanish for “people who are turning 50”), which encourages those achieving this milestone to be excited about their future, empowered by the great things they have already experienced.

The word is inspired in part by the tradition in some Latino cultures of the quinceañera, an elaborate party a family throws for a girl’s 15th birthday. But for Cincuentañeros, the celebration lasts longer than a day — and isn’t just for women.

“In the Latino community, a lot of people have a big, festive event for their 50th birthday, but not everyone sees it as positive,” says Yvette Peña, vice president of Multicultural Leadership for AARP. “Instead of feeling they are getting old, they should feel empowered and think, I’m only 50. What else can I do? It’s a beginning.”

In March, AARP brought three experts — on health, money and love — to speak at the Poderosas (“Powerful Women”) conference in Miami; they discussed how optimism at 50 can help people thrive in the next phase of their lives.

“What we must understand early on, in order to reach 50, 60 or 70 in a great way, is that love does not come with expectations or requirements. And if I don’t learn to love myself unconditionally, I won’t learn to love others unconditionally.”

— Marco Antonio Regil, Television show host

“Your financial life starts at 50. That’s when you want to start enjoying life with your grandchildren, with your family, and using your wealth to travel.”

— Barbara Serrano, Financial adviser and author

“Do you remember when people used to say, for example, that 50s are the new 40s, and then they changed it to 50s are the new 30s? The 50s are the new 50s, OK? That’s what it means when today we see 50- and 60-year-old women that look fabulous, spectacular. We have to be proud of being 50.”

— Maria Marin, Syndicated columnist and author

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For Latino Community, Cincuentañeros is Time for Celebration

A social movement is growing that encourages people turning 50 to welcome a new beginning

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