'It really annoys me': Dame Helen Mirren hates being patronised in old age Dame Helen Mirren has hit out at the "condescension" that others sometimes treat older people with. 23 August 2025 Dame Helen Mirren hates the "condescension" that comes with getting older. Dame Helen Mirren hates being patronised as an older woman The Thursday Murder Club actress celebrated her 80th birthday last month and admits that she cannot abide the attitude that some have towards her at this stage of her life. In an interview with The Times newspaper, Helen said: "The hardest part is the condenscension.