At 83, Mick Jagger Reflects On Aging, Fame And Forgetting Life's Lessons

Aug 04, 2026 by apost team

After more than six decades as one of rock's biggest stars, Mick Jagger has experienced just about everything the music industry can offer. But at 83, the Rolling Stones frontman says the biggest challenge isn't performing on stage – it's getting older.

Speaking on The New York Times' "The Interview," Jagger reflected candidly on life in his eighties, admitting that aging has forced him to slow down in ways he never imagined.

"It's not particularly pleasant and, of course, you can't do things as quickly as you want to, and physically you can't do things that you would like to do," he said.

The legendary performer explained that while he's still capable of doing many of the things he enjoys, they now require greater care and patience.

"You can still do them, but you have to be more careful," he added.

Jagger also acknowledged that decades of worldwide fame have shaped the way he experiences everyday life. Being recognized almost everywhere he goes, he said, can create a sense of distance from ordinary life if he's not careful.

"Obviously, it's not normal," he said. "It is not like most people's lives. It does affect you. You can become disassociated. From other people."

To avoid that, Jagger makes a conscious effort to stay connected to the world outside celebrity.

"You go out and walk on the street on your own and do normal things," he said.

Even after spending much of his life in the spotlight, he believes those simple moments help keep him grounded. 

Jagger's willingness to embrace new ideas hasn't faded with age either. In a recent interview with Billboard, he and longtime Rolling Stones bandmate Keith Richards discussed experimenting with artificial intelligence for the music video of "In the Stars." The technology was used to recreate younger versions of the band's faces while keeping the performances themselves authentic.

"We had a lot of fun with that," Jagger said.

"The musicians are real musicians that look a bit like The Rolling Stones in 1968. The only thing was the faces."

Richards laughed about seeing a younger version of himself on screen, joking, "Very nice. I wish I looked like that now," before adding that AI has its place, particularly in music videos.

Still, despite embracing modern technology, Jagger says there is one reality no innovation can change: growing older.

Looking back on the passage of time during his conversation with The New York Times, the rock icon admitted he doesn't see many upsides to aging.

"There's nothing good about it," he said.

Then, with the dry humor that has long defined him, Jagger delivered the remark that perhaps best summed up his feelings.

"Nothing. You don't get wisdom. You forget everything. Forgot all my wisdom."

He joked that he may once have had "a couple of pearls," but if he did, he has already forgotten what they were.

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