‘Abbott Elementary’ Star Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Fitness Approach: “Health is your greatest wealth”
The 69-year-old went viral with bikini photos that showed her trim, fit physique.
Sheryl Lee Ralph poses in the IMDb portrait studio at the 2026 GLAAD Media Awards at The Beverly Hilton on March 05, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.
Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for IMDb.
Sheryl Lee Ralph is earning raves for redefining what aging looks like. The Emmy-winning Abbott Elementary star went viral recently after sharing stunning bikini photos while she was on vacation in Jamaica. Needless to say, the 69-year-old was widely praised for showing off her fit physique and youthful energy. But Ralph has been open about the work she’s put in to be healthier and more fit as she’s gotten older.
She’s shared that her routine is driven by being intentional and maintaining discipline. In January 2025, Ralph spoke to PEOPLE about what motivated her.
“On Abbott the cameras are all around,” she explained at the time. “One time I got a shot of my behind, and I was like, ‘Oh, hell no!’” And she revealed that a trip to get a checkup changed everything. "The doctor said, ‘You are obese on the inside,’” she shared. “I said, ‘What?’”
She also admitted that she would've taken weight loss drugs if she thought it would’ve worked for her.
"If that would have worked for me, I would have," she adds. "I would do anything to have the best health I possibly could."
Instead, she simply followed her doctor’s advice. “He said, ‘Change the way you eat, work out, drink water,’ ” Ralph says. “When the doctors tell you that stuff, you've got to do it. Because there are certain things like fresh air, sunlight, those are very good medicines. Very good medicines.
"Your health is your greatest wealth, and too many of us do not pay attention to it until it’s gone.”
BlackDoctor broke down Ralph’s approach to a healthier lifestyle:
