The 10 MORE/Wilhelmina 40+ Model Search Finalists for 2005

Born: 2/2/1955

Children: Arielle, 20

Status: Married for 25 years

Occupation: Writer

Hometown: West Hills, California

“When I was 17 years old, I won Miss Teen England, and here I am 33 years later at 50 in another contest. Who would have thought?”

By Elisa Kronish

Born: 12/23/1962

Children: None

Status: Single

Occupation: Reconstructive dentist

Hometown: West Palm Beach, Florida

“I go on dates with guys, and they have exactly 30 seconds to state their case, because I’m doing just fine on my own. I’m not giving up any of my creativity or spontaneity to trade it for, ‘Honey, I’m out of clean underwear.’”

Born: 2/3/1964

Children: Anna and Alexa, both 4

Status: Married for 8 years

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom and seamstress (as a hobby)

Hometown: New York, New York

“I’m surprised by how fast it goes, how time flies, how you blink and miss it. I don’t know if it’s because I’m enjoying my life and just living it now, but I’m surprised at how fast I got here.”

Born: 1/16/1962

Children: Julian, 17; Theron, 15

Status: Divorced

Occupation: Corporate counsel

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

“No one in my family has been to college. When we lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, it was all about just getting a high school degree. So there’s nothing in my background that would indicate where I am now. I decided I wanted to be a lawyer from watching TV or something. If you come from a family that values education, it’s easy, but that wasn’t my experience.”

Born: 7/3/1961

Children: Shayla, 19; Dylan, 12

Status: Divorced

Occupation: Full-time mom, real estate agent-to-be

Hometown: New York, New York

“When you go through something devastating, the best thing to do is to be by yourself, I think, otherwise you never get through it. Now, I’m happier than I’ve ever been and more confident. You really have to learn from challenges — and you can learn a lot.”

Born: 12/13/1959

Children: Acadia, 10; Charley and Emma, both 8

Status: Divorced

Occupation: Marketing coordinator, in career transition

Hometown: Western Springs, Illinois

“There might be a stigma as a single mom. I’m sure there are some people who are concerned, but I don’t force myself on people. I’m not going up and knocking on people’s doors — I’m not a desperate housewife.”

Born: 8/10/1957

Children: Mikaela, 10

Status: Divorced

Occupation: Full-time mom

Hometown: Beverly Hills, California

“I’m looking at life as if it were divided into two parts: the first was where I was too emotionally weak and vulnerable, and the second part is like I worked out the kinks and I feel really excited to go forward with a positive outlook.”

Born: 3/14/1963

Children: Dave, 24; Dan, 21

Status: Divorced

Occupation: Sign maker for a grocery store

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

“Basically, raising them was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Now they’re grown and pursuing their dreams — and encouraging and supporting mine! They always make me feel blessed.”

Born: 5/30/1963

Children: Stepchildren Nicholas, 12; Katherine, 9

Status: Married for 1 year

Occupation: Reporter, TV show host

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“I love the fact that MORE features beautiful women who are strong in so many ways and have this real vitality about them. Being over 40 is a wonderful place to be, and the contest represents a lot of that.”

Born: 5/17/1962

Children: Jordan, 15

Status: Married 20 years

Occupation: Community renovation volunteer

Hometown: Eden, North Carolina

“Some people feel they need to get all dolled up to feel beautiful. Of course, I don’t put on sweats and walk out the door — I wouldn’t feel good, but that’s not what matters. It’s more about being rested and happy. I seem to glow more and I feel better about myself.”