Enjoy Life

85 year old Grandmother gains a PhD

An 85 year old is celebrating after making a PhD her FIFTH degree- nearly four decades after she received her first.

Dr Anne Latto received her doctorate in Storytelling from the University of Reading, 36 years after she first graduated from the same university with an undergraduate degree in film and drama.

In the years since that first achievement, the grandmother of five has since gained an MA in Film and Drama, an MPhil in Film and an MA in Cognitive Evolution.

Her most recent qualification is her PhD from the university's Department pf Film, Theatre and Television, and the Australian-born octogenarian says she isn't planning anymore academic accolades.

Dr Latto, who moved to the UK aged 20, initially attended RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and can also boast a PGCE among her qualifications, which allowed her to teach drama for more than 10 years.

But when she retired she decided to embark on a journey of learning. "The reason I did five degrees is because I got bored," she said. "I love knowledge. I like to find out how human beings operate and function, and how we convey ourselves in performance.

"It sounds trite to say it passes the time but I can't bear being bored and I like finding out about things.

"When you're young you try to do a degree that's going to lead to a job or that it is going to open up the world in some way to you. I was simply interested in following my own interests."

Dr Latto  celebrated her success earlier this month with tea and caked hosted by the Department of Film, Theatre and Television before joining her family to continue the celebrations.

And the mother of two, who had five grandchildren, admitted hat while her loved ones are extremely proud of her, they're likely to have breathed a sigh of relief that this was the last. "they are just relieved that it's all over and that I have stopped complaining about it all," she added.

She also paid tribute to her PhD supervisors, who she said were: "immensely supportive and very knowledgeable."

Dr Lato now plans to continue pursuing her interests, including acting and directing in amateur dramatics. She is also a member of the Society of Storytelling and is actively involved in the University of Reading's Museum of English Rural Life as a volunteer guide.

But despite her many achievements, the 85 year old remains down to earth. "I don;t make people call me 'Doctor', or anything," she said. "I'm much prouder of my five grandchildren."

Other stories in Enjoy Life

November DVD reviews
November's Music Reviews
November book reviews
October's DVD reviews
October's New CD releases
October's book reviews
September's DVD Reviews
DVD selection for August 2023
September's book reviews
Latest music reviews August 2023
August Round up
August Paperback Reviews
August hardback book reviews
July 2023 Roundup
Pick of the paperbacks July 2023
July 23 Hardback book reviews
July 2023 DVD releases
July 2023 CD reviews
Pick of the paperbacks June 2023
June DVDs
Hardback book reviews - June 2023
Simon Evans CD Reviews for June 2023
Tesco Summer indoors and out
Book reviews
May 2023 paperback book reviews
May 2023 Hardback book reviews
May's DVD Selection
May's CD selection
Round up of April 2023's book reviews
April 2023 paperback reviews
April 2023 Hardback book reviews
More March 2023 must-reads
March - Pick of the paperbacks
March hardback recommendations
Afternoon Tea
March 2023 - DVD releases
March 2023 Music
February 2023 Books Round up
Pick of the paperbacks - February 2023
Book reviews February 2023
DVD recommendations
February's music reviews
Freedom on two wheels
Make do and mend
Foray into the Fens
Christmas reads
Tasty, healthy recipes by Joanne Wood
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 2
Keeping fit and healthy with the Green goddess Part 1
Finger-licking Good! Tasty Chicken recipes
Beauty: Say 'Allo 'Allo to an alluring look
British Library: Palace of the printed word
Look good and feel great with CBD
Interior design: Inspiration for outdoor spaces
Summer fun at Belvoir Castle
Finding Fitness Starts With Fashion
‘In Vogue’ Veg – Cavolo Nero Sales Grow by 14%
Eat Continental and live longer
A life-affirming book... about death
Get Sewing: Floral bespoke notebook cover
Find your family fortunes... for FREE!
Beauty: Get set for spring...
Spanish Recipes: Small is beautiful
The Vegan Revolution
Interior Design: Maximise your living space
Pets need a spring clean too
Visit Family Tree Live
MasterChef: Classic with a Twist
Get Sewing: Quilted pot-holder
Bob Dylan "Rock and Roll music wasn’t enough for me”
Plant Power Day: 7th March 2019
Interior Design: Less is more in minimalist home
A second chance at love
Interior Design: Great Gatsby Cabinet
The rise and rise of the birthday cake
Walking back to happiness
Baking With Veg
Totally Tina Tour
How to take care of your hair over-50
The nation's most popular cake recipes
Your views: Can you help?
Hail the grandparent aupairs
Beauty: Denise Welch "I love the shape I'm in at 60"
The Austerity Olympics
Healthy reasons to acquire a taste for olives
Grand Treats for Grandchildren
Declutter your home, and clear your mind
Scandi-style Mules for Swollen Feet
Beetroot and Walnut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
In your garden: October
Dr Norman Croucher: The toughest summit of them all
Craft Corner: Sweet Easter Basket
Have your cake and eat your Easter egg too!
Interior Design: Moroccan inspired drawers
BR remembered... 70 years on
A gentleman's guide to spring fashion
Why antique jewellery is glittering
New Year, new beauty habits
Cliff Richard "I have a deeper faith now"
Do you remember? Oliver!
What we really look for in retirement living
Interior Design: Wedding bells on a budget
Counter culture: The revival of the board game
Jodie Whittaker: "Doctor Who is all about change"
Dame Eileen and a Crowning glory
Writing the story of you life
Why winter shouldn't stop you: don't wait until New Year
World' first 'wellness shed' stirs up mindfulness
Growing old is amazing
Don't miss out on the internet age
Prepare to feel ancient...
Hawks: Up close and personal
Studious retiree heads back to school
Garden Expert: Soaking up the sun
Emily Watson "I'ts such a gypsy life"
Here's to you Mrs Robinson
Brits Embracing 'Urban Birding'
Volunteering for Nature
The Secret to Younger Looking Eyes
Anti-ageing Options Part 2
Anti-ageing Options
End of the road for a pop icon
Reaching out to Dementia Sufferers: Sporting Memories Network
Are you ready for retirement?
Afternoon Tea Recipes
Surprisingly Good Wholegrain Recipes: Savoury
Staying safe in the Summer heat: Drowning prevention
Stardust Memories
Baking made easy
Cooking for one
The real cost of your wine