Iconic Gossip Columnist Cindy Adams, 94, Finally Gets High School Diploma Decades After Failing a Class

"I don’t know how to sew a goddamn graduation dress," Adams humorously said while explaining what went wrong back in the day

<p>Dave Kotinsky/Getty</p> Cindy Adams

Dave Kotinsky/Getty

Cindy Adams

Legendary New York Post columnist Cindy Adams just proved it's never too late to get your high school diploma.

This week, the 94-year-old gossip columnist, whose career has spanned over 40 years, was honored with a special ceremony after receiving her diploma from Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria Heights, Queens, according to the New York Post.

"Believe the gossip," N.Y.C. Public Schools wrote in a post on social media documenting the celebratory affair.

As for why she didn't graduate 80 years ago in the 1940s, well, look no further for the scoop than Adams.

“We had a thing for women called ‘home ec,’ — called home economics — in those days, the ladies had to sew their own graduation dress. I don’t know how to sew a goddamn graduation dress,” she explained, per local station NY1.

<p>Andy Kropa/Getty</p> Cindy Adams

Andy Kropa/Getty

Cindy Adams

Related: Ala. Woman, 94, Receives High School Diploma 79 Years After Dropping Out: 'Better Late Than Never'

Despite not being able to sew, Adams was able to fulfill the requirements of the class by having the dress made with the help of a local tailor, but the principal wasn't fooled.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“We brought it to the principal, and he said, ‘You didn’t make this yourself, you can’t go to college, you can’t get a diploma, you can never, ever go anywhere,’ ” she recalled.

<p>Astrid Stawiarz/Getty</p> Cindy Adams

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty

Cindy Adams

The ceremony was attended by N.Y.C, Mayor Eric Adams, N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul as well as the columnist's longtime friend, Judith Sheindlin, otherwise known as Judge Judy,

“She is one of the most devoted people to the people who she cares for and who care for her,” Sheindlin told the New York Post.

Related: This 94-Year-Old Grandmother Just Earned Her Bachelor's Degree: 'Education Gives Me Life!'

As for what she credits for her decades of success and respect throughout the New York community, Adams took a modest approach, telling NY1, “If you’re a reasonably good, honest person, not that I’m smart, not that I’m anything, but I’m fair and I try.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.