Jane Fonda’s Granddaughter Details What She’s Learned From Actress

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They say experience is the mother of wisdom.

And when it comes to people who have lived life to the fullest, one doesn’t need to look much further than Jane Fonda—which is why her granddaughter Viva Vadim is more than happy to take a page from her book.

“I can only hope to be as brave and courageous as she is, and as steadfast to her beliefs,” Viva, whose mom is Jane’s eldest Vanessa Vadim from her marriage to Roger Vadim, told E! News at the premiere of Jane’s documentary Gaslit June 12. “It's really amazing, especially tonight, to have a role model like her throughout my life, but also to see her standing side by side with all of these other activists who are on the front line, and those are the voices that we need to be listening to.”

The 24-year-old continued, “So, I'm really proud to see her dedicate her entire career—her entire life—to amplifying those voices that sometimes go unheard.”

Indeed, Jane has long used her platform to advocate for human and environmental rights. In the case of Gaslit—which is now playing in select theaters—the documentary investigates the impact of oil fields and the fossil fuel industry on local communities and beyond.

As for what sort of advice she’s picked up from her grandmother over the years, it’s hard for Viva to pin down just one lesson.

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“I wouldn't even know where to start,” she said. “I'm just so inspired by her spirit. And I think something that she's tried to instill in me, and I think for my generation—it's really hard not to be kind of nihilistic, and she's always kind of challenged me on that. I kind of think in extremes. When I have a belief that's where I lock in on, and she's always kind of pushed me to continue to make compromises.”

As she put it, the Oscar winner “always remains hopeful, even when it's really hard to be hopeful,” Viva reflected. “So, that's something that I'm kind of constantly trying to emulate.”

Jane, meanwhile, shared insight into what it is that keeps her going back to bat for causes that need a voice.

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“Well, there's a lot of issues that are facing Americans, especially right now,” the Grace and Frankie actress said. “And, you know, I'm a privileged white woman who's famous. The least I can do is to try to help. Plus, it makes me feel good, and it keeps me from being depressed, and I'll be able to die with a clear conscience.”

And she’s still pinching herself that she’s been given so much time to do this work.

“I thought I'd be dead at 30,” the 88-year-old quipped. “It never occurred to me I've lived this long. I'm astonished every day. I wake up saying thank you, that I'm still here and I'm healthy.”

For another look at celebrities with the next generation of their families, read on.

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