Caption: Gert Boyle

Posted: 08/17/2007 1:02pm

Category: Career

Millions of TV viewers know Gert Boyle as the "one tough mother" from the Columbia Sportswear ads.

What many people probably don't know is how active and vibrant the 83-year-old exec really is.

She took over the company when her husband died suddenly at the age of 47. Under her leadership, Columbia has evolved into a $1.2 billion public company.

The feisty TV Star and author of "One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and Apple Pies" explained to Growing Bolder what it was like in the early days for a woman to run a major sporting goods company and why she thinks the TV spots have resonated with people across the world.