The C++ programming language is now 25 years old, and used by millions of programmers. Developing such a language is a challenging business. I will present a personal view of some of the factors that were and still are critical for C++'s sustained success. Many of the ideals and principles that were applied -- with varying degrees of success -- involve non-technical concerns. Real-world language evolution differs significantly from "green field" and "blue sky" design, since it requires long-term evolution in a world of shifting external pressures rather than specifying an ideal design once and for all.