My Grandmother Accidentally Went Viral — And Now She’s an Influencer

It all started with a cup of tea and some yarn.

My grandmother, Ruth, is 82 years old. That day, she was sitting in her favorite chair, knitting a scarf, wearing her big purple glasses, and quietly talking to herself about how “TikTok is ruining the world.” I laughed quietly. She had no idea that her life was about to change.

I had just downloaded TikTok and was playing around with it. I turned my camera on and quickly recorded a short video of Grandma dropping her knitting needles and saying, “Well, that stitch was a disaster!”

I added some music, wrote a funny caption — “When Grandma’s knitting gets serious” — and posted it.

I didn’t expect much. Maybe a few likes.

But the next morning, the video had over 2.3 million views.

My grandmother had gone viral.

When I showed her, she didn’t believe me at first. She stared at the screen and said, “What’s a TikTok?” I tried to explain TikTok and how she was now famous. She just shrugged and asked, “Do I look fat in that video?”

People from all over the world started commenting. They loved her voice, her attitude, her funny facial expressions, and her old sweaters. Some called her “the internet’s grandma.” Others said she reminded them of their own grandparents. Suddenly, she had thousands of followers — and she had no idea why.

We started posting more videos of her.

She gave funny relationship advice, like, “Don’t date a man who uses more shampoo than you.”

She gave honest reviews of my cooking: “This chicken is dry, but I’ll eat it anyway.”

She even shared old home remedies, like, “Put a potato in your sock when you have a cold.”

People loved her even more.

Soon, brands started messaging us. One skincare company said they loved Grandma’s personality and asked if she would promote their anti-aging cream. When I told her, she laughed and said, “I’ve got more wrinkles than their CEO. Let’s do it.”

They sent the products. She tried them. Then she looked straight at the camera and said, “It’s nice, but I still prefer my cold cream from the drugstore.”

That video got over 5 million views.

More brands came. A baking company sent her cookies to try. A tea company offered her a deal. A book publisher asked if she wanted to write a book called “Grandma Ruth’s Life Lessons.” She said yes — only if someone else wrote it for her.

She didn’t change who she was. She still woke up early, still complained about the price of groceries, and still used her flip phone. But now, she also checked TikTok comments every night with her glasses on, reading them out loud and giving her thoughts.

She called her followers her “Little Yarn lings.” One person even got a tattoo of that.

And when a local TV station interviewed her, she wore a crown. Not for the fame — just because she felt like it.

People sent her letters and gifts. Some said her videos made them smile during hard times. Others said she reminded them of their grandma who had passed away. A few just wanted her advice on life.

Through all of it, she stayed the same.

She didn’t care about views or likes. She cared about being kind, being funny, and being herself.

When I asked her how it felt to be famous, she said, “It’s like being popular at bingo night, but louder.”

Watching my grandmother become an influencer was something I never expected. She didn’t try to be funny or go viral. She was just real. And that’s what people loved the most.

In a world full of filters and fake smiles, Grandma Ruth showed that honesty and heart are what truly connect people.

I asked her once if she had advice for people who want to go viral.

She thought for a moment, then said, “Be yourself. Don’t chase fame. And never trust a man with no books in his house.”

Then she picked up her knitting, looked at me, and said, “Now post that before my tea gets cold.”