Editor’s note: Today, we revisit a classic Playmate of the year story penned by Lillian Müller, the Playmate of the Year for 1976. The original feature can be found in the June 1976 issue of Playboy Magazine.

I was brought up in southern Norway’s beautiful countryside on a tiny farm. We had one cow, one pig, a few chickens, a dog, a couple of cats. My mother divorced my father when I was about two years old, and he moved out. We were quite poor, but my mother loved me and my brother and sisters very much and took exceptional care of us. By the time I was 11, she had to leave home to make enough money to support us. For five years she worked on an oil tanker out at sea and saved all her money; then she came home and bought a townhouse for all of us to live in.

I’ve always felt that God has a plan for me, and I’ve had a sense of mission. That has saved my life, I think, because it gave me the strength to survive poverty and the sadness of my mother leaving. It also helped me excel in school—I had that drive and desire to make something of myself. I grew up with the attitude that, well, maybe I’m down now, but I’m not out. I knew that when I grew up I would be somebody.

When I was almost finished with high school, I fell in love with a soldier and eventually moved with him to London, where I went to a modeling academy. I never thought in my wildest dreams that I was sexy. But after I graduated, I got so much work right away. I became a Page 3 girl in The Sun. Photographer Suze Randall saw me and asked if I would shoot a nude for her. I’d done topless for Page 3, but I’d never done any nudes. I felt so shy, but she convinced me.

Playboy was a big beginning for me. Over the years I’ve done so many television programs, films and reality shows around the world, in Europe and America—there are even documentaries about my life! I’ve been blessed. I starred in the music video for “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” with Rod Stewart—he was such a gentleman—and “Hot for Teacher” by Van Halen. And when I was 59, PETA chose me as the world’s sexiest vegetarian woman over 50. It was fun to get a beauty title at that age! I’m a strict vegan and an animal activist; I’m committed to eating only from the plant world.

Now, at 68, I am officially a senior citizen in Norway, and I truly believe the best is yet to come. I just wrote a self-help book that was published in Norway. It’s called Si JA til Livet!—“Say YES to Life!” The plan is to have my daughter translate it into English for American publication next year. My first book, Feel Great, Be Beautiful Over 40, came out in 1995, and it took me from sex symbol to health guru. In my new book I talk about health and recipes for wellness, longevity and staying youthful—but also a lot about spiritual growth.I’m on a mission these days; my life’s work now is helping other people blossom and reach their highest potential. I’m proud of the way I look, especially at my age, and that’s part of my message: Take good care of yourself, stay positive, maintain a healthy outlook, stay vital. Remember this advice: “Be the change you want to see.” That’s what I do. I live my life like that. I ask myself every day, What can I do to make a difference? How can I help others? That’s what turns me on. I feel good when I go to bed, knowing I did something I can be proud of.

I’m not ashamed of my body. When people are judgmental about nudity or put down others or are critical, I think it’s because they don’t really like themselves that much. I’m so proud to be in Playboy. Without Playboy, I wouldn’t have my daughter, the most precious thing in my life, because I met her father in America. And I wouldn’t be in the position I am now, where I have the power to positively influence people. I’ve had such an unbelievably great career—a little farm girl from nowhere in Norway. God works in mysterious ways, you know?