Baddie Winkle who has Instagram fans including Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Nicole Richie

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Baddie Winkle, born Helen Ruth Van Winkle, has become an internet sensation thanks to her captivating and hilarious social media posts
The 87-year-old has more than 1.1million followers on Instagram, including Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Nicole Richie
The deaths of her husband and son inspired her to reinvent herself

Published: 21:04 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 02:28 EST, 6 September 2015

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Baddie Winkle is arguably one of the most famous octogenarians in the United States thanks to captivating social media accounts.

Just last week, the internet sensation was rubbing elbows and hanging out with Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.

Winkle, an 87-year-old Instagram star who is followed by Cyrus, Nicole Richie and Rihanna, has shared how a devastating loss inspired her to reinvent herself.

In an interview with Refinery29, the great-grandmother - born Helen Ruth Van Winkle - said that she began dressing more adventurously after the deaths of her husband and son.

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New friends: Just last week, Baddie Winkle was rubbing elbows and hanging out with Miley Cyrus at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles (above)

Bling bling: Baddie Winkle sported a smile while rocking a pair of sneakers and a sequinned dress when she arrived at the awards ceremony

Rebel: The 87-year-old great-grandmother reinvented herself into Baddie Winkle when she became a widow

'You don't know what's going to happen to you,' she said of the tremendous losses. 'I blamed God forever. I cried all the time because I couldn't come to terms with it, so I made myself over into Baddie Winkle.'

Winkle, who lives with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, said Baddie was born after she put on tie-dyed shirt and a pair of cutoff shorts that belonged to her great-granddaughter Kennedy.

When Kennedy came home, she told the outrageous 87-year-old woman that she looked 'so cute' and wanted to take a photo of her to share on social media.

Since that day, Baddie's colorful outfits, activities and antics have turned her into a celebrity with over 1.1 million Instagram followers.

Connections: Baddie Winkle (above) says that after reinventing herself, it helped her to reclaim her sense of self and to connect with her family in a collaborative fun way

Spirited: The octogenarian says that Baddie Winkle has helped her a lot in spirit' and the lessons that she's learned is 'live and let live'

Winkle, whose husband died on their 35th wedding anniversary, also said that by reinventing herself, it has helped her to reclaim her sense of self and connect with her family in a collaborative fun way.

'Baddie Winkle has helped me a lot — in spirit, anyway. The lessons that I have learned is live and let live,' she told Refinery29. 'I would love to be a role model for older people. You're only here once in your lifetime, so have fun.'

Winkle, who claims on Instagram that she's been stealing your man since 1928, has received a ton of clothing and merchandise to sport on top of landing two fashion campaigns this year.

Relaxing: Baddie Winkle relaxes on a blanket while sporting a crop top shirt and pants with sunglasses on her face in the photo above

Baddie Belieber: In the photo above, Baddie Winkle sits on top of beer boxes while she sports a sweatshirt with Justin Beiber's face on it

'We wear some of them, and some of them we don't, because we don't like them,' Winkle told Refinery29.

'Most of the time, Kennedy picks what they send over. She's my stylist, too — she helps me out a lot.

'Of course, she wants me to do things I don't want to do, too, but that's neither here nor there.'

In terms of people who may raise an eyebrow at some of her clothing choices, Baddie said that she doesn't like wearing 'old women' clothes and that she's never worn them.

Colorful: Baddie Winkle (above) says that she doesn't like wearing 'old women clothes' and that she's never worn them

Internet sensation: Baddie Winkle (above) told the Daily Mail Online earlier this year that her goals in 2015 were 'to continue to decide to be happy, eat more chocolate, try more new things and do a cool reality series on how to be a Baddie'

'But I would also never be caught dead in pasties or short-shorts that show half of your butt,' Baddie told Refinery29.

'I've had pictures made like that, but I just did it for the fun of it.'

Earlier this year, Baddie told Daily Mail Online that her goals in 2015 were 'to continue to decide to be happy, eat more chocolate, try more new things and do a cool reality series on how to be a Baddie.'