Even though Jennifer Aniston doesn't look it, she is getting prepared to celebrate her 45th birthday this coming February.

The former 'Friends' star just seems to get better with age, after leaving the hugely successful sitcom Aniston has forged herself into one of Hollywood's most successful women.

She has had starring roles in films such as 'Horrible Bosses', 'Just Go With It', 'Marley & Me' and 'Wanderlust', plus many more.

On the set of 'Wanderlust' is where the 44 year-old met her fiancé Justin Theroux and she now seems happier than ever.

In a new interview with 'Parade', Jen looks back on her life and discusses why she is so happy in her 40's but admits her 30's, during which she was married to Brad Pitt, were her "awkward phase".

"That there's nothing to worry about -- although I don't think I had a care in the world at 25, either. That all started in my 30s, my awkward phase," she explained.

"I'm a little bit of a late bloomer! But it doesn't matter to me because it just gets better. They do say youth is wasted on the young, but I feel just as youthful now, if not more, than I did when I was 25. I'm more in my body; I'm more in my mind. Life is full. Life is wonderful. We're very, very fortunate."

At the age of 31 Aniston married Hollywood hunk Pitt in 2000 which ended in divorce five years later in 2005. He is now engaged to his 'Mr & Mrs Smith' co-star, Angelina Jolie, and they have six children together.

After dating the likes of Vince Vaughn and John Mayer, Aniston became engaged to Justin Theroux in August 2012. "I feel most beautiful when I'm just at home with Justin Theroux in the morning," she admitted. "Or any time of day I'm with him."

At the present time Aniston's career and personal life couldn't be better as she gushed, "My life is so fantastic. I'm so happy, there are a lot of exciting things that I'm excited about doing. We're about to do a sequel to Horrible Bosses, which is such a fun character for me. And I think I'm going to try at some point next year to direct a full-length feature, which I'm extremely excited about. I'm just so happy and I'm grateful for my fans. I just hope I keep doing work that they love."

Jennifer Aniston
Aniston is happier than ever with Justin Theroux