Bella DePaulo, 70, has and says she always will be single by choice. Having the freedom to live exactly how she wants makes her feel fulfilled and happy. Around 31% of American women had never been married in 2023, up from around 24% in 1999.
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You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. Advertisement This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bella DePaulo, 70, a social scientist and author from Pennsylvania. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I'm 70, and I've never been in a relationship, nor do I ever want to be. I consider myself "single at heart," which means I'm happiest and most fulfilled living life as a single person. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.
Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in . I never wanted to be married, but for a long time I thought that maybe I was just slow getting there.
People around me were obsessed with it, so I thought I just hadn't gotten bitten by the marriage bug yet. I knew I didn't want to .