Rosa Saito is not exactly new on the fashion block. Even though she started her career a bit later in life than most conventional supermodels, those who are not familiar with her might be inspired by her story of how she rose to the runaway and conquered the status quo. With beauty standards at an all-time high, who would have expected a 71-year-old woman to become a famous supermodel?

The life of Setsuko Saito

Rosa Saito, formally known as Setsuko Saito, was always drawn to the artistic side of life. Her passions led her childhood through the many different forms of creativity. From singing to drawing to writing. The world may be familiar with her as a supermodel. But, she only discovered that at the age of 68. In an interview with Brightside, Rosa said, “I always knew I was going to pursue something creative, something I could invent. Everything I do I take to that side.”

Rosa was the daughter of a Japanese couple, and she was born in Araçatuba, Sao Paulo. When she was only five years old, she moved to Brazil’s capital. She recalled her time in the classrooms as a young girl. “I was the only one who filled the classroom walls with drawings, telling a story,” said Rosa.

Read More: Model Is Mauled by Dog and Her Journey To Recovery Was Nothing Short of Remarkable

Rosa Saito has not had the easiest of lives

She has had to face tumultuous difficulties that challenged her immensely. Firstly, when every other 22-year-old was studying at university or starting a new career, Rosa was caring for her sick, bed-ridden mother. In the year 2000, she lost her husband. After that, she raised her three children by herself. However, she maintained a love for gardening, which she used as a therapeutic hobby. “It is important to seek and find yourself. And my moment of peace is with them (plants). I go to my garden and talk to them,” said Rosa.

Rosa Saito, the supermodel

When Rosa Saito was 68 years old, she was approached by a modeling agency. At this point in her lie, she still went by her birth name, Setsuko. Two modeling scouts came to her and asked her to join the agency. Then, a photographer also asked her if she would be interested. After these three requests, Rosa finally agreed to try it out. “Twice it was by professionals from the Mega modeling agency and once by a photographer. I let the idea mature for a year, after all, it had cost too, it wasn’t something I was going to get into just like that, blindly. Until I decided to take the risk,” Saito said.

A year later, Rosa went into the industry and became an overnight sensation

She later changed her Instagram handle to Rosa Saito so that her fans could pronounce her name. She now has about 22,000 followers. However, fame is not the aim. “I just try to do the best in what I embraced with love and found myself,” he says. “I thought: Be what God wants. If I don’t try, I’ll never know.”

Rosa’s beauty tricks