What should I have accomplished by 80?

See what remarkable builders and entrepreneurs achieved at age 80

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95th
percentile
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Ahead

Notable Achievements at Age 80

Fred Smith

Died in Memphis, Tennessee

Frederick W. Smith died on June 21, 2025, at age 80.

2025
99% confidence
Source
Golda Meir

Death of Golda Meir

Died of lymphoma on 8 December 1978 at 4:30 p.m. in Jerusalem; widely mourned internationally.

1978
99% confidence
Source
Lorne Michaels

Announced donation of Lorne Michaels archives to Harry Ransom Center

On Jan 15, 2025, announced donation of archival materials to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin; collection to be available for research Jan 2026.

2025
98% confidence
Source
Nancy Pelosi

U.S. Capitol attacked during electoral certification

On Jan 6, 2021 supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol; Pelosi's office was breached during the riot.

2021
98% confidence
Source
Roland Berger

Company 50-year anniversary

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants celebrated 50 years in business (founded 1967).

2017
98% confidence
Source
Margaret Hamilton

Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama presented Hamilton with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work on Apollo software (November 22, 2016).

2016
98% confidence
Source
Francis Bailey

Maine Supreme Judicial Court upholds original license denial

On April 10, 2014 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court voted 4–2 to reverse Justice Alexander's ruling and deny Bailey a law license in Maine.

2014
98% confidence
Source
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Dissent in Shelby County v. Holder

Authored a noted dissent criticizing the Court's decision to invalidate a key section of the Voting Rights Act (2013).

2013
98% confidence
Source
Warren Buffett

Co-founded the Giving Pledge

With Bill Gates, launched the Giving Pledge encouraging billionaires to give away at least half their fortunes to charity.

2010
98% confidence
Source
Noam Chomsky

Death of spouse Carol Chomsky

Carol Chomsky (his first wife since 1949) died in 2008 after a long marriage and three children.

2008
98% confidence
Source
Jonas Salk

Died in La Jolla, California

Jonas Salk died of heart failure on June 23, 1995; his personal papers later deposited at UC San Diego Geisel Library.

1995
98% confidence
Source
Frances Oldham Kelsey

Chosen as namesake of Frances Kelsey Secondary School

The town of Mill Bay, British Columbia, named a secondary school in her honor (school opened 1995).

1994
98% confidence
Source
Deng Xiaoping

Signed Sino–British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong

On 19 December 1984 China and Britain agreed on the future return of Hong Kong under 'one country, two systems'.

1984
98% confidence
Source
Elisabeth Murdoch

Appointed Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)

Awarded AC for services to the community.

1989
96% confidence
Source
Viktor Frankl

Oskar Pfister Award (American Psychiatric Association)

Received the Oskar Pfister Award for contributions at the intersection of religion and psychiatry.

1985
96% confidence
Source
Lorne Michaels

SNL 50th Anniversary events (SNL50 concert & specials)

Celebrated 50 years of SNL with weekend events (SNL50: The Homecoming Concert streamed Feb 14; anniversary special Feb 16; re‑airing of first episode).

2025
95% confidence
Source
Fred Smith

Estimated net worth reported at death

Forbes estimated his net worth at approximately $5.3 billion at the time of his death.

2025
95% confidence
Source
Jon Kabat-Zinn

Doctor of Science honoris causa from Haverford College

Received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from his alma mater, Haverford College (award listed as 2024).

2024
95% confidence
Source
Judith Faulkner

Forbes ranks her 55th most powerful woman in the world (2023)

Forbes' World's Most Powerful Women list placed Faulkner at #55 in 2023.

2023
95% confidence
Source
George R. Roberts

REDF revenue reported over $35 million (consolidated)

Roberts Enterprise Development Fund (REDF), which Roberts founded and chairs, reported revenue in 2023 of over $35 million (REDF and affiliate consolidated statements).

2023
95% confidence
Source

💡 What this means for you

At age 80, you're at a pivotal point where many successful entrepreneurs made their breakthrough. Whether you're building your first company or scaling an existing one, these examples show what's possible with focus and execution.

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20 notable achievements at this age

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