As Debbie Harry approaches her 80th birthday on July 1, the Blondie frontwoman opened up about her views on growing older in an interview with The Times. Reflecting on the passage of time, she shared her thoughts on aging and how it feels to have outlived many of her peers.

“I don’t constantly dwell on the fact that I’ll soon be 80, but it’s definitely something I feel,” Harry admitted. She likened her perspective to her mother’s, who often felt perpetually 25 in her mind.

Harry acknowledged the importance of not obsessing over aging, saying, “Focusing on it too much could really hold you back.” She explained that she no longer craves the lifestyle she had in her youth, having already experienced it.

“There’s a certain grace in getting older,” she said. “You carry all those experiences within you — in your heart, your soul, and your memories. Or maybe that’s just an excuse? Should I be out partying every night instead?”

For her milestone birthday, Harry plans to throw a grand celebration with loved ones, though she admitted one downside of aging is losing many close friends. “A lot of people are no longer here,” she noted, recalling a moment decades ago at CBGB’s gallery when she realized that half of the musicians in the photographs had already passed away.

Despite these losses, Harry said performing live has become easier with time. “I don’t get nervous anymore,” she revealed. “It all comes down to experience.”

Looking back on her life, the “One Way or Another” singer expressed gratitude. “It hasn’t always been easy, but I feel fortunate. Fate has been kind to me in many ways, and I’m more at peace now than I ever was. I worked hard for what I’ve achieved, and finding success has been an incredible reward.”

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