Erika Rowe on her famous streaking in 1982: It was an impulse.

According to The Sun: Erika Rowe became world-famous when she ran naked across a field during a rugby match between England and Australia in Twickenham in 1982.

At the time, at 24, her energetic intervention lifted the spirits of the spectators, and England won the match 15-11.

Erika Rowe became a global star 43 years ago thanks to her streaksRex Erika, escorted by police, leaves the field in Twickenham in 1982Rex Erika says her iconic streak was an impulse, adding: 'If I had thought about it, it wouldn't have happened'Rex

The memorable run

Forty-three years later, Erika, dubbed 'the most famous British streaker,' recalls: “It was an impulse. I was at rugby with my sister and her friends.

“One of the guys liked me, and he was talking too much, so I thought I'd run onto the field.”

“I had visited the beer tent but was not drunk. During the break, the crowd looked bored watching a guy in a gorilla suit trying to entertain them.

“Then someone shouted, 'Isn't anyone going to streak?'”

“If I had thought about it, it wouldn't have happened, but I took off my top and bra and ran across the field.”

Everyone seems to be naked [now] ... They are always tight, bums and bellies on display. There are no boundaries.

Erika Rowe

“I heard the roar of the crowd and realized the match was back on, I turned around, but the players were still talking as they were applauding me. It was fantastic, an incredible emotion.”

Erika laughed as a police officer escorted her off the field, his helmet covering her breasts. She was taken to the police station.

Fortunately, after England's victory, she was not fined, and she was able to celebrate with friends.

She temporarily lost her job at a bookstore in Petersfield, Hampshire, but her boss gave her a second chance.

Modern realities

Erika received numerous offers to capitalize on her fame, including from the adult magazine Penthouse, but mostly turned them down.

She appeared on the show The Island with Bear Grylls in 2016, but currently lives in the Algarve, Portugal, in a converted goat hut.

Erika notes that even if someone tries to streak, it won't attract much interest.

The only modern 'streaker' who gained fame is Kinsey Wolanski, who has 4 million Instagram followers after her stunt at the Champions League final in 2019.

However, Erika does not encourage others to repeat her experience.

“What's the point? There will be no excitement – everyone seems to be naked everywhere,” she says.

“They all publicly display their breasts, bums, and bellies. There are no boundaries or mystery; nudity is served to us daily.”

I'm closer to 70 than to 60; I have gray hair, but I know I still look good because I'm real – I'm pursued by 33-year-old men.

Erika Rowe

Erika says many people want to be famous and are willing to do anything for it. “It's like a fake life on social media.”

“Recently I was on a plane, looking at the girl in front of me editing her vacation photos – it was all a sham.”

“Real life shouldn't be like that. When I saw a girl in a public restroom taking numerous photos of herself, playing with her hair – it’s just vanity.”

“I know I look good. I’m almost 70, have gray hair, but I’m real, and I’m pursued by men 33 years younger.”

Erika in a photo from 1982, after she became famousGetty

For the past 20 years, Erika has mostly remained single, although she has had a few relationships.

“Men can’t handle me,” she says, “I’m a very strong personality. I would love to fall in love again, but there are very few real men.”

She hasn't been able to find lasting love, and three years after her famous streak, at 27, she became a single mother to her now 40-year-old daughter.

After that, she married her ex-husband and moved to Portugal 36 years ago. There, she had two more children, now 35 and 30, but unfortunately divorced in 2005.

Erika confesses, “I don’t often fall in love, but when I do, it’s intense. When my husband left me, I was devastated.”

“That was the hardest moment of my life. My children supported me; I stayed on the farm and worked as much as I could.”

Modern life

Today, Erika lives a happy albeit unconventional life in a small converted goat hut.

A year after her streak, Erika was still in the media spotlightGetty

“I’m as crazy as I am,” she says proudly. “I love dancing to loud rock music in my home and constantly working out, and I’m happy in my life.”

“Sometimes I think about what it would be like if I had capitalized on my fame and became a celebrity, but even being rich, I doubt I would live differently.”

“My life is simple: I do home renovations and rent it out through Airbnb – from chopping wood to painting the chimney. Always on the move.”

Though she rarely watches television, Erika keeps track of the Six Nations, admitting she loves attractive rugby players.

“The last time I was at a match, I was invited to a private room full of rugby players, and I was thrilled – they were wonderful,” she recalls. “Many asked me for selfies. It would be nice to go back…”

Kinsey Wolanski stormed the field during the Champions League final between Tottenham and Liverpool in 2019 in MadridGetty Kinsey promoted her boyfriend's website and became a star overnight, but Erika doesn’t advise following her example todayGetty Erika Rowe has become an iconic figure in the history of sporting events. Her stunt in 1982 changed the perception of streakers in public places. The modern world in the age of social media seems less mysterious, and even reckless outbursts will soon stop attracting attention. However, it is important to remember that the uniqueness of each of us can be found not only in friendly impulsive acts but in the deep stories we carry within.