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At 71, Ann Marie Harper — known online as Glamour Gran Ann — became the oldest Scot to reach the national final of the Miss Great Britain competition, using the stage to press a simple message: age should not limit ambition. She did not finish in the top five of the Ms Great Britain Classic category, but won recognition for the wider impact of her campaign.
A historic appearance in the Classic category
Harper qualified for the national final after winning the Ms Great Britain Classic Ayrshire heat in June, earning a place at the Leicester final. The Classic category is open to women aged 45 and over, so she faced contestants more than two decades younger.
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At the final, the Classic crown went to Ally Sussex of Surrey, who reportedly secured the title after several attempts. Other evening winners included Yazmin McClean, who took Miss Great Britain, and Holly Pirrie, who won the Ms Great Britain crown.
Recognition beyond the scoreboard
Although she did not reach the Classic top five, Harper received the contest’s “impact over image” award for her category. She has described the experience this year as an “amazing journey,” saying it has given her a platform to speak about causes important to her.
In social media posts ahead of the final, she wrote that the contest had given her “a voice, a platform and opportunities I could never have imagined at 71.” She also declared: “ambition, confidence and dreams have absolutely no age limit.”
From cosmetics entrepreneur to community campaigner
Harper launched her own cosmetics line at 66. Her brand includes a make-up palette called the Glam Goddess Collection, and she is active on Instagram and TikTok, where she has attracted thousands of followers.
But her public profile is not limited to beauty. Harper told the Press Association that competing is not just about winning. She uses her persona to challenge expectations about older women and to promote joyful self-expression — including her fondness for large hats and furs.
Fighting loneliness among older people
Central to Harper’s work is a focus on social isolation. She organises events for the Community Led Action Support Project (CLASP) and regularly attends a local pensioners’ club.
“I just want to help people realise that they’re not alone,” she said, adding that small acts — going for a hair appointment or wearing lipstick — can help people feel connected. Her aim, she says, is to show older people they still belong and can be visible.
Harper finished the week in Leicester determined to keep using her visibility for good. “Every step has brought me to this moment,” she wrote before the final. “We’re only just getting started.”
