Glenn Close’s powerful feminist speech at the Golden Globes received a standing ovation

'I am a working actress and I cannot imagine a more wonderful life'

Glenn Close’s powerful feminist speech at the Golden Globes received a standing ovation as she spoke about women needing to “find personal fulfilment”.

The 71-year-old won the award for best actress in a drama motion picture for her role in The Wife, beating Lady Gaga, Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy and Rosamund Pike.

Speaking about her “category sisters”, she said: “We have gotten to know each other a little bit so far, and I can’t wait to spend more time with you.

“I’m so – everything that you did this year, or what you are here for – we all should be up here together, that’s all I can say. Oh my God, I just don’t believe it.”

Close said that playing an unfulfilled spouse in The Wife taught her that women need to ”follow our dreams”.

“Women, we’re nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us,” Close said. “We have our children. We have our husbands if we’re lucky enough, and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfilment!”

She added: “Here I am today, I will have been 45 years in September that I am a working actress. And I cannot imagine a more wonderful life.”

The evening, designed to award the best in film and television, also saw wins for Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel. You can find a full list of winners here.