Every time I ask the women in the Sixty and Me community who their favorite actresses are, Helen Mirren is right at the top of the list.

There is something about her combination of undeniable talent and magnetic personality that keeps us hooked. She is one of those rare women who are able to seem classy and childlike at the same time. Don’t believe me? Watch this video of Mirren inhaling helium on the Jimmy Fallon show.

Mirren’s attraction to the women in our community goes beyond her supreme talent as an actress. She is living proof that life after 60 can be whatever we want it to be.

Ok, as an A-list actress, she probably has an army of fashion consultants, makeup artists, nutritionists and personal trainers following her around. But it feels like she would be just as impressive a woman if all of that disappeared. Don’t you agree?

In any case, since Helen is so beloved by the women in our community, I thought that it would be fun to take a look at a few facts from her life. Some of these are serious. Others are just plain silly. But, hopefully all of these Helen Mirren facts will help you to get to know Dame Helen Lydia Mirren a little better.

Here Are 12 Fun Facts About the Amazingly Talented Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren was born on July 26th, 1945 as Lydia Petrovna Mironova. Her father came from an aristocratic Russian family. So, perhaps it is somewhat surprising that she is fluent in French, not Russian.

She was overwhelmed by the power of the theater at age 13, when she saw Hamlet. She later said that “I believe kids shouldn’t be taught Shakespeare. They should experience it first by seeing a great production.”

Apparently, Helen’s first exposure to Hamlet had an impact, because her acting career started in the theater. In fact, her success as Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra secured her a position with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Over time, Helen’s fortune extended well beyond the theater. Her film career started in the 1970s but she became a household name when she got a role on the hit TV show Prime Suspect, in 1992.

Many consider Mirren’s best film to be The Queen. The real Queen Elizabeth II loved it too and said it was one of her favorite films of 2006.

Apparently 6 times is a charm, because she played the Queen in 5 other films.

Mirren takes a personal supply of PG Tips tea bags with her when she travels. And why not? Who doesn’t enjoy a good cuppa? Being from the U.K. myself, I can totally relate to this. I still have cravings for my favorite brand of tea from time to time and bring back boxes when I visit relatives.

She got a tattoo in an act of drunken rebellion… and regretted it when tattoos became trendy.

Helen Mirren has shown off her twerking skills on live TV. Who says us older gals can’t dance? Just in case, you’re not familiar with “Twerking,” here’s a video of Helen showing off her moves.

She credits the Royal Canadian Air Force 12-minute exercise plan with her ability to stay in shape. Here are 3 tips for getting in shape, according to Mirren.

According to Mirren, sex gets better with age. In her youth it was “paranoid and empty.” Now it’s “Great, just wonderful.” I, for one, love the fact that Helen isn’t afraid to talk openly about issues that are important to older women.

Finally, in 2007, Helen Mirren was voted the sexiest older woman in the world, ahead of Meryl Streep and Judi Dench.

What I love most about Helen Mirren is that she isn’t afraid to be herself. She isn’t embarrassed of her own idiosyncrasies – she embraces them. I’d love to get your thoughts on this. Please join the conversation below.

Are you a fan of Helen Mirren? Why or why not? What is your favorite Helen Mirren role of all time? What question would you ask Mirren if you had a chance? Please join the conversation.