I sang a lot as a little girl and entered competitions. I loved singing in choirs, but it was as I got older that I really found my voice.

I'm passionate about everything, actually. I'm passionate about life.

Most women are dissatisfied with their appearance - it's the stuff that fuels the beauty and fashion industries.

I stand on the shoulders of giants that have gone before me, in terms of affording people like myself, women, the access to democracy, the vote, medical treatment, education, everything that I've been given. It's all been earned.

I'm very intrigued that in this culture of reality television and celebrity - which is an enormous industry and generates billions and billions of dollars - we're so resourceful.

I don't take myself as seriously as some people think, and I'd hate anyone to think I was preaching. That's the last thing I want.

One wouldn't want to have the same dilemmas at 50 as one had at 15. And indeed I don't. I have a very different take on life.