HIV/AIDS LONG-TERM SURVIVOR * YOUTH EDUCATION * ADVOCACY * ACTIVISM * RESOURCES
Houston, Texas - United States
bob bowers - Aging and thriving with hiv/Aids at 62
What Are the Odds? – Playing the Hand You're Dealt
There was a time when I would have bet every cent I had on being just another statistic—someone whose name would be spoken in hushed tones, if at all. Another story of someone who didn’t make it. Yet, here I am, still standing, and every day feels like I’ve outplayed the odds.
In 2004, I found myself speaking to a room full of medical students at the University of Wisconsin. I was nervous, as usual, especially since I hadn’t done many university presentations at that point in my years of advocacy. But this wasn’t just a job or another presentation on HIV/AIDS—it was about being of service, about pouring my heart and soul into everything I did.
To break the ice with these bright future doctors, I tossed out one of my “I hope I make you think” moments. With a smirk, I said, “In 1984, when I was diagnosed, if you put Bob Bowers, JFK Jr., and Princess Diana into a pool as to who would have survived (then 20 years later), I definitely would’ve put my money on the Princess, not my sorry ass!”
The laughter was loud and real, and the message landed with impact: life’s unpredictable, and none of us knows exactly how long we have.
Never surrender! Never forget!
What an honor and blessing it is to be growing older and continuing to live and thrive with HIV/AIDS.
Aging with hiv/aids - Long-term survivor Bob bowers
never surrender! never forget!
It’s About More Than Survival—It’s About Living Fully
Aging with HIV is a balance of accepting the physical realities while still refusing to let them define who we are. For many of us, the virus and the treatments have shaped our lives, but they haven’t stopped us from creating meaningful, fulfilling lives. We’ve built families, communities, and legacies—stories of survival that prove that we’re still here, still living, and still striving to make the world a better place.
What defines us isn’t just the time we’ve survived with HIV—it’s the strength we’ve cultivated, the lessons we’ve learned, and the community we’ve built along the way.
As Someone Who’s Living Through It...
Aging with HIV isn't something anyone can prepare for. I know. I’ve lived through the battles that come with being diagnosed, fought through the stigma, and made it to the other side. But now, it’s about learning to accept the body that’s changed, the scars that are deeper, and the new set of challenges that come with getting older.
I’ve felt the weight of the years—the physical toll HIV and its treatments have left on me. There are mornings I don’t bounce out of bed like I used to, and moments when my body feels worn. But I don’t let those moments define me. I still show up, still fight, still connect with the people around me, and still live with purpose. And you know what? That’s enough. It has to be.
Aging with HIV isn’t just about what happens to our bodies. It’s about what happens to our spirits. We may have scars, but we also have wisdom, love, and a drive to keep pushing forward. Every year adds to the story of who we are—a story of resilience, strength, and survival. And that story is far from over.
~ At 62, Bob Bowers continues to live, educate, and advocate as a long-term survivor of HIV/AIDS in Houston, Texas.
Aging with HIV/AIDS doesn’t mean stop playing—Long-term survivor Bob Bowers is still in the game.
bob bowers is a 43-year long-term survivor of hiv/aids
Never surrender. Never forget.
62 Years of Living
62 years. 22,630 days (and counting). Some were heavy, some were light. Some were barely survivable. But all of them have shaped me into who I am today.
At 21, I was told I wouldn't make it to 25. It's hard to believe that now, knowing I’m 62. But here I am, still here, still living with purpose, still learning, still fighting.
In these 62 years, I’ve lost loved ones, I've battled demons, and I’ve danced with joy in moments I never thought I’d get to see. Through it all, I’ve held onto a simple truth: God wasn’t done with me. And I’m still not done.
I am humbly grateful for every day. For every breath, every step, and every challenge that brought me closer to who I am now. I’ve lived a full life, and I’m still writing the next chapters.
Here’s to life. And to all the incredible people who’ve walked alongside me, seen the best and worst of me, and reminded me why I should never stop fighting.
Bob Bowers
It Ain’t Over — Until It’s OVER
I was infected with HIV in 1983 at the age of 19.
I’m 62 now.
Think about that.
Really — think about it.
If that doesn’t give you hope, I don’t know what will.
coming soon!
The True Tale of One Tough Pirate
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate
"You call him One Tough Pirate. The man. The myth. The absolute badass. Bob Bowers isn’t just a survivor—he’s a force. A walking, talking, tattooed sermon. His story doesn’t quietly ask for your attention. It grabs you by the soul and demands you sit up, shut up, and listen."
The True Tale of One Tough Pirate - Bob Bowers' life story
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate
"I don’t preach from pulpits. My sermons are sidewalk-born. Sometimes they start with a compliment about my ride, and end with a grieving stranger in tears over a brother lost to AIDS. That’s how it happens. Every. Damn. Time. Not because I go looking—but because I am looking. For connection. For meaning. For redemption. I don’t hunt down the hurting—I am the hurting. I just happen to be loud, tattooed, and too stubborn to shut up."
The Gospel According to One Tough Pirate - Bob Bowers' documentary/docuseries
AGIng and thriving with hiv for 43 years!
COMPASSION IS OUR CURE®
I just wanted to tell you that your site brought both tears to my eyes, chills to my skin, and peace to my heart. I have not been directly affected by AIDS on a personal level, however, being a nurse, my final goal is to be involved in the fight for research and a cure. I never look at people's websites, but something told me to check yours out. I have been directly affected by cancer several times which is another type of research I'd like to do, but I feel like the Lord is pushing me to work with HIV/AIDS patients and I'm not really sure why. And I love your saying Compassion is our cure.... b/c it is the truth in this world through and through. I just really wanted to say I think it's awesome what you are doing, and I wish more people would be on the proactive side of this fight.
~ Erin
One Tough Pirate
You have to be one of the most amazing men. This just shows people that you can't tell from the outside someone is living with AIDS. Protect yourself and others. I love how open and honest you are about your life. And how AIDS hasn't made you lay down and die.
~ Bren
Living. Aging. Thriving with HIV/AIDS.
Aging in the face of HIV/AIDS - Never surrender! Never forget!
My journey over the past 62 years stands as a testament to the resilience and courage it takes to live fully in the face of incredible challenges. Though HIV/AIDS has been a significant part of my life story, my experiences transcend the disease itself. They reflect a universal journey through hardship, self-acceptance, and ultimately, hope. I have faced not only the physical toll of illness but also the weight of stigma and survivor’s guilt, the complexities of a shifting medical landscape, and the depths of personal struggle and triumph. In choosing to share my story with openness and honesty, I want to show that vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness; rather, it's the foundation upon which true connection and strength are built.
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day - September 18th
Growing Older with HIV
Today, thanks to improvements in the effectiveness of treatment with HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV who are diagnosed early and who get and stay on ART can keep the virus suppressed and live long and healthy lives. For this reason, more than half of people with diagnosed HIV in the United States and 6 territories and freely associated states are aged 50 and older. Many of them have been living with HIV for many years; others were diagnosed with HIV later in life.
Myth: Older adults are not at risk for contracting HIV.
Reality: People aged 50+ still account for approximately 1 in 6 (17%) of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.. Factors like unprotected sex and shared needles remain risks regardless of age.
Myth: HIV is still a "death sentence" for older adults.
Reality: Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) allows most individuals to have a near-normal life expectancy. For example, a 50-year-old with a strong initial response to treatment can expect to live into their 80s.
Myth: Stigma decreases as people get older.
Reality: Older adults often face "double stigma"—the intersection of HIV-related discrimination and ageism. This can lead to increased social isolation, depression, and a reluctance to seek care.
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day September 18th - Bob Bowers is a 43-year HIV/AIDS survivor
Aging with hiv/AIDS - Long-term survivor bob bowers - texas
HIV/AIDS and Aging: Thriving Beyond the Fight
The Intersection of HIV and Aging
As people with HIV live longer, we are confronted with the complexities of aging in ways the general population doesn’t face. The intersection of HIV and aging presents distinct challenges that require more than just physical resilience—it demands emotional, mental, and social strength too. Here’s a quick look at the reality:
- People over 50 living with HIV are at increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
- Age-related stigma is real. Older people living with HIV often feel invisible in a world focused on younger generations.
- The physical toll of decades of treatment, combined with the natural aging process, can take a heavy toll on the body.
While these facts are critical to understand, they don’t define us. We are defined by the grit, love, and determination to continue thriving, no matter the obstacles.
HIV and aging
Living with HIV is a journey, but aging with it is an entirely different chapter—one that’s written with perseverance, wisdom, and a deeper understanding of what it means to truly live.For those of us who’ve lived through the early years of the epidemic, aging with HIV has always felt like navigating uncharted territory. As medical advances have extended lives, we've learned that HIV isn't just about surviving—it’s about thriving despite the challenges, in a world that often doesn’t acknowledge the nuances of growing older with the virus.
HIV/aids and aging
Helpful links for people living and aging with HIV/AIDS
Testosterone therapy linked to faster progression of atherosclerosis in men with HIV
HIV and Male Hypogonadism: A Persistent Challenge Even With Effective ART
—A recent study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of hypogonadism in men living with HIV and shed new light on a persistent challenge.
Nutrition and Aging with HIV/AIDS
Exercise and Physical Activity
Learn more
People aging with HIV share many of the same health concerns as the general population aged 50 and older: multiple chronic diseases or conditions, the use of multiple medications, changes in physical and cognitive abilities, and increased vulnerability to stressors.
aging. surviving. thriving
Breaking the Mold
When I was diagnosed, the world tried to box HIV into one story. Gay men. Certain neighborhoods. “Other people.”
But I was a straight, tattooed, motorcycle-riding young man who suddenly had to carry a virus most thought couldn’t touch them. By refusing to stay silent, I shattered those stereotypes. My life became proof that anyone can be affected — and everyone should be paying attention.
Movement is my medicine - fit over 60 with hiv/AIDS
move it or lose it
Bob Bowers has been living and exercising with HIV/AIDS for 43 years. Movement is medicine.
exercise while living with hiv/aids
There are many benefits to exercising while living with HIV, even in your sixties. Always consult with your Doctor first.
movement is my medicine
If you've been living with HIV/AIDS or are newly diagnosed, keep on moving. You got this. Never ever surrender!
HIV and aging awareness day - 2024
By: Long-term survivor Bob Bowers
Surviving HIV/AIDS for 42 years has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
I've witnessed the loss of countless friends, battled physical and emotional struggles, and experienced my share of highs and lows.
There have been moments of survivor's guilt, questioning my own luck while others succumbed to the disease.
Yet, through it all, I've clung to hope, never forgetting the importance of educating others, battling stigma, raising awareness, and fighting for a cure.
The journey has been arduous, but I'm grateful for the strength and resilience it has instilled in me. I've learned that even in the darkest of times, there is always light to be found.
And so, I continue to fight, never surrendering to the virus or the challenges it brings.
YOU'VE GOT THIS!
NEVER EVER SURRENDER!
NEVER EVER FORGET!
~ Bob
#NHAAD #HIVandAGING
Mr. Bowers has been an HIV/AIDS educator/activist/advocate for over 3 decades.
It's surreal to be aging with HIV and to be 62. God is good! -- Bob Bowers 43-year survivor.
Straight Men with HIV/AIDS Are Here
— And Always Have Been
HIV/AIDS doesn’t care who you are — it cares what you do.
While many still wrongly assume HIV only affects the LGBTQ+ community, the truth is that heterosexual men have always been a part of this fight. From the 1980s to today, straight men have been living with, advocating through, and surviving HIV. We’re not statistics. We’re fathers, husbands, veterans, teachers, athletes, and advocates. And we're not silent anymore.
Straight men living with HIV/AIDS are seen here.
Health Issues and Aging with HIV
People aging with HIV share many of the same health concerns as the general population
People aging with HIV share many of the same health concerns as the general population aged 50 and older: multiple chronic diseases or conditions, the use of multiple medications, changes in physical and cognitive abilities, and increased vulnerability to stressors. In addition, while effective HIV treatment has decreased the likelihood of AIDS-defining illnesses among people aging with HIV, many HIV-associated non-AIDS conditions occur frequently in older persons with HIV, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, and cancer. These conditions are likely related to a number of interacting factors, including chronic inflammation caused by HIV. Researchers are working to better understand what causes chronic inflammation, even when people are being treated with ART.
Learn more about aging with HIV/AIDS
Survive!
Exercising While Living with HIV/AIDS
I was dedicated to fitness long before I ever heard the words HIV or AIDS—and I’ve continued to train, move, and fight for my health every step of the way since.
The Peaceful Warrior - Bob Bowers
I’ve called myself a Peaceful Warrior since the 1990s when I first started scribbling passages for my life story and upcoming books. That name wasn’t branding — it was survival.
HIV doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care who you are, what you look like, or who you love. It cares what you do.
