RuPaul's Drag Race - RuPaul
Screengrab via Paramount Plus

Rupaul is how old? Uncovering the iconic drag queen’s age and birthday

All tea, no shade.

RuPaul once said in his opening monologue on SNL that he moved to New York City in the 1980s with a pair of high heels and a dream. If his dream was to become a world famous drag queen, well, mission accomplished. If his dream was to bring drag to the mainstream media, well, he did that too, as everyone in some way shape or form has heard of RuPaul’s Drag Race, the famous reality competition show that blends queer culture with drag history and puts it under the microscope of a reality competition. 

Recommended Videos

As it stands, RuPaul’s Drag Race has a total of 24 Emmy Awards ranging from “Outstanding Host” to “Outstanding Competition Program.” That amount of Emmy’s is nothing to bat an eye at, and proves why RuPaul’s Drag Race is in its 14th season and has a host of spin off series’ dominating the charts across the globe. 

As is the case with most things in life, slow and steady wins the race, and RuPaul is no exception. It’s been 40 years since he first moved to New York to pursue his drag dreams, but wait, that would mean – surely he’s not – just how old is RuPaul exactly?

How old is RuPaul and when is his birthday? 

RuPaul 70th Emmy Awards - Arrivals
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

If he heard us talking about his age, RuPaul would just as quickly pull out his reading glasses and announce that the library was open. Alas, our apologies, Mama Ru – it’s time to tell the children just how old you really are. 

RuPaul Andre Charles was born on November 17, 1960, making him 61 years old as of this writing. Now, for anyone who’s tuned into Drag Race recently, you’re not alone in wondering how on earth that’s possible. After all, he doesn’t look a day over 45 – or a day over 35 in drag. 

Some could argue that good lighting and a proper filter are at work, but we want to stay in RuPaul’s good graces so we’ll just chalk it up to a good plastic surgeon. (For those who haven’t’ watched Drag Race before, that’s what we call a “read”.) All joking aside, it looks like RuPaul has simply indulged in plenty of sleep, a healthy amount of water, and waking up everyday doing something he loves. Still RuPaul Charles is, hand over our heart, truly 61 years old. 

Don’t get your knickers in a bunch, though. The Queen of Drag has no intention of slowing down yet. With a new season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars right around the corner, and several more seasons of spinoffs in the works, we’ll be stuck with Mama Ru for many more years to come, if we’re lucky.


We Got This Covered is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Every ‘Black Sails’ pirate that appears in ‘Treasure Island’
Black Sails / John Silver and Captain Flint
Read Article What episode does Michael come back in ‘Jane the Virgin?’
Michael and Jane at an amusement park in Jane the Virgin
Read Article When did the real-life events contained in ‘Baby Reindeer’ happen?
Baby Reindeer
Read Article ‘Pulse’ Netflix release window, cast, and more
Read Article What Happened To Ivy On ‘The Bold and the Beautiful?’
Ashleigh Brewer as Ivy Forrester in 'The Bold and the Beautiful'.
Related Content
Read Article Every ‘Black Sails’ pirate that appears in ‘Treasure Island’
Black Sails / John Silver and Captain Flint
Read Article What episode does Michael come back in ‘Jane the Virgin?’
Michael and Jane at an amusement park in Jane the Virgin
Read Article When did the real-life events contained in ‘Baby Reindeer’ happen?
Baby Reindeer
Read Article ‘Pulse’ Netflix release window, cast, and more
Read Article What Happened To Ivy On ‘The Bold and the Beautiful?’
Ashleigh Brewer as Ivy Forrester in 'The Bold and the Beautiful'.
Author
Cody Raschella
Cody Raschella is a Staff Writer and occasional Editor who has been with WGTC since 2021. He is a closeted Swiftie (shh), a proud ‘Drag Race’ fan (yas), and a hopeless optimist (he still has faith in the MCU). His passion for writing has carried him across various mediums including journalism, copywriting, and creative writing, the latter of which has been recognized by Writer’s Digest. He received his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge.