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Outlook: The life and loves of the world's oldest drag queen

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Darcelle XV

26/07/2022 GMT

The life and loves of the world's oldest drag queen

BBC World Service - Outlook, The life and loves of the world's oldest drag queen

Walter Cole, 91, has been dazzling audiences in Oregon as Darcelle XV since 1969

Record-breaking drag queen Darcelle XV has been creating costumes and dazzling audiences in Oregon since 1969.

91-year-old Walter Cole still struts his stuff on stage as his alter ego Darcelle XV – now with a glitter-studded walker. Performing since 1969, Darcelle XV has broken the record as the world's oldest drag queen. Walter's story begins in a small mill town on America's west coast. He had a difficult childhood, but joining the military and marrying his high school sweatheart gave him new possibilities. Walter opened businesses in Portland, Oregon and one of them changed his life completely. He turned a rundown bar into a thriving cabaret venue and created Darcelle XV. Walter tells Outlook's Claudia Meza that immersing himself in the gay community helped him confront who he really was and how a dancer called Roxy became the love of his life. Walter has written a book about his life called: Just Call Me Darcelle.

Nims Purja was a member of the Gurkhas, the elite force of Nepalese soliders in the British Army. Their motto is 'better to die than be a coward' and in 2019 Nims set himself a fearless task - climbing all 14 of the world's 'death zone' mountains in record time. Part of his motivation was his mother, who was seriously ill. This interview was first broadcast in December 2020.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Deiniol Buxton
      
(Photo: Darcelle XV. Credit: Courtesy of Walter Cole)

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