She’s appeared on Broadway, hosted her own talk show, competed on Dancing With the Stars and worked as a motivational speaker, but Florence Henderson will forever be known as Carol Brady, the matriarch of The Brady Bunch and an enduring pop culture icon. On Jan. 25, Henderson was honored at the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Woman of the Year, a distinction bestowed upon Debbie Reynolds, Celine Dion, Eva Longoria and others. She spoke with Vegas DeLuxe’s Robin Leach about her illustrious career and upcoming milestone birthday.
Q: Now it’s always rude to ask a lady her age, but you don’t hide the fact that you’re 79 and getting ready to celebrate your 80th on Feb. 14. You’re very young at heart and young at mind.
A: And pretty young in body! I’ve realized that if you want to stay in this business, your stamina is ... important. I work out three times a week, I still go to my vocal coach, I’m still doing my one-woman show. I feel very blessed. When you say that number, I go, “What are you talking about? That can’t be me.” But it is, and it’s kind of wonderful in a way. I think it’s someone else who’s turning 80 on Valentine’s Day, not me.
Q: Is work the thing that keeps you young?
A: I think that loving what you do certainly makes a big difference in one’s life. I’ve always adored what I do and the fact that I have an incredible family. I have four wonderful children, five grandchildren, I have siblings and friends, and it’s what you put out there that comes back to you. I’ve just been very blessed. I just finished filming on a new series called The Trophy Wife, and I had such a wonderful time. I’m just busy all the time; you’ve got to keep moving, Robin. I always remember us doing your Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous on the boat.
Q: That’s so long ago now, though, we won’t even talk about it! It’s just good we can still do those silly things. However, I really admired you for taking the pain and the punishment on Dancing With the Stars.
A: I was on three seasons ago, and I lasted on it for six weeks. We rehearsed seven hours a day, seven days a week, and, boy, talk about dancers! I don’t know how they do it with their feet. Luckily, my joints were good; my knees, my hips, all of that in great shape. But I did find muscles I never knew I had. Now the fact that I work out; I think had I not been in great shape to begin with, I would have been gone the first week.
Q: You look back over 79 years, 80 years, and you look at this honor that’s coming your way of being the (Nevada Ballet Theatre’s) Woman of the Year. Anything you missed out on that you’d love to do?
A: You know, Robin, I look forward always to what’s coming. I always think the best offer, the most exciting thing, is just coming; I just haven’t done it yet. That’s the enthusiasm I have for this business and what I do. I’ve gotten to do a lot and work with some of the greats in our business and continue to do so. I really have no regrets and no complaints.
For Robin’s complete interview with Florence Henderson, visit lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe
