Ali MacGraw, star of “Love Story,” swapped Hollywood’s glitz and glamour for the calm serenity of a sleepy small community. She has had previous failed marriages but has no regrets about leaving the limelight to begin afresh in this tranquil haven.
Ali MacGraw was a stunning, wise, and stylish actress who will always be regarded as great. She has impacted the entertainment business through more than just her on-screen work, as her romantic relationships have also generated buzz.
The accomplished singer was married three times throughout her long career. She married renowned director Robert Evans after her first relationship with Robin Hoen. Finally, she married her “The Getaway” co-star Steve McQueen.
Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal star in the 1970 film “Love Story.” | Source: Getty Images
At the university, MacGraw met Hoen. She attended Wellesley College while working as a fashion journal assistant under the direction of renowned fashion editor Diana Vreeland. Hoen went to Harvard University for school.
The 1961 marriage ended in divorce the following year. The 1970 film “Love Story,” launched MacGraw to fame, was her big break after some time spent working in the fashion business.
Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw stand back to back outdoors in a still from the 1970 film, “Love Story.” | Source: Getty Images
With Calvin Klein noticing a “rich-hippie” movement, MacGraw rose to fame as an actress and fashion pioneer. Regarding fashion history, she was on par with Jackie Onassis, a socialite and past first lady of the United States, and actress Katharine Hepburn.
Several years later, MacGraw met Evans, a well-known producer, and former production director at Paramount Pictures. Though he had dabbled in performing before, he became well-known as a producer.
The highly acclaimed films “The Godfather” and “Chinatown” were among the movies that Evans produced. Josh was born to him and MacGraw in 1971 after their 1969 marriage.
Robert Evans and Ali MacGraw attend the film premiere of “Ryan’s Daughter” at the Museum of Modern Art on November 9, 1970, in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images
Evans made sure to cast MacGraw in various roles and was cautious to avoid giving her roles that would restrict her career. She co-starred in the 1972 movie “The Getaway” with Steve McQueen, known as “The King of Cool.”
In 1966, McQueen, one of the most well-known people of the 1960s, was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in the movie “The Sand Pebbles.”
While they were shooting, McQueen and MacGraw started dating. Later that year, MacGraw married McQueen after divorcing Evans after three years of marriage. Before passing away in 2019, Evans wed seven times.
Ali MacGraw tickles her son, Josh Evans, in California in 1978. | Source: Getty Images
McQueen wanted to lead a “normal life” after having a challenging upbringing, so when MacGraw married him, he made her give up her acting career.
“At the time, he was the biggest movie star in the world, and he didn’t want me to work, so I essentially quit making movies and took care of my child [Josh].”
Marc Eliot, a biographer, claims that McQueen’s substance use and infidelity, which helped make him known as the “bad boy” of the business, significantly impacted his union with MacGraw.
Ali MacGraw and her son Josh Evans play together on the beach in 1978 in California. | Source: Getty Images
McQueen, according to Eliot, was infamous for being distant and demanding, frequently physically abusing MacGraw, and insisting that she serve him dinner at exactly six o’clock every night. In front of the screen, he would eat by himself.
The performer and McQueen finally called it quits in 1977. Despite their turbulent marriage, MacGraw still had complimentary things to say about McQueen.
MacGraw described her connection with McQueen as “chemical” in a 2018 interview with People, recalling that it was extremely intense and potent.
Ali MacGraw and her son Josh Evans on March 6, 1992. | Source: Getty Images
She claimed that McQueen had an arresting presence that caught everyone’s attention and that his magnetic energy did not spare her.
MacGraw remembered that her third husband’s allure wasn’t just because of his good looks but also because he exuded a hint of danger and a bad-boy attitude.
Steve McQueen pictured during the making of the feature film “Le Mans” in 1971. | Source: Getty Images
Looking back, MacGraw said she and her companion had “wonderful days and dreadful days” but wished they had lived their senior years free from drug abuse.
She emphasized that they had their ups and downs and that she did not see herself as a victim. Similar to her relationships with Hoen and Evans, she had a trend of unhappy marriages.
Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw in a scene from the 1972 movie “The Getaway.” | Source: Getty Images
In an interview with renowned host Oprah Winfrey for “Super Soul Sunday,” MacGraw acknowledged that her problems caused her repeated failed marriages. She stated:
“The arrogance of it just blows my mind. My arrogance.”
Ali MacGraw attended Hollywood Foreign Press Conference at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 6, 1970, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Her words shouldn’t be interpreted as harsh, according to MacGraw. She thought that rather than needing to express her needs verbally, her partners should be able to comprehend them. She gave instances of what went wrong in her three marriages:
“It was, ‘Why can’t you read my mind about what I’d and wouldn’t like?… How about saying, ‘This doesn’t feel right,’ or ‘That does,’ or ‘I really would like to ask you if you could do this for me.'”
Winfrey warned MacGraw that failing to express one’s needs and expectations clearly and assuming that a partner will know them instinctively could be detrimental to a relationship.
Ali MacGraw’s publicity photo for the 1970 film “Love Story.” | Source: Getty Images
It appeared that MacGraw understood her errors. She also expressed remorse for not asking her ex-husbands for more financial support because she wasn’t open to getting what she wanted.
She suggested that when deciding to retire at the height of one’s work, one should concentrate on building a secure home for oneself. She had never really given this notion much thought, though.
Ali MacGraw walks to the Bistro Restaurant on June 5, 1970, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
She never took the money from the divorce settlement, claims MacGraw, because she thought it was the proper thing to do. But she was almost bankrupt after making this decision. She volunteered:
“I had a romantic, ‘Aren’t I a good girl?’ take on divorce, but that was stupid.”
Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw sit next to each other on the set of the 1972 film “The Getaway.” | Source: Getty Images
According to the premarital agreement MacGraw recalled being coerced into signing by McQueen, she would lose money in the event of a divorce. She ended up going bankrupt as a consequence of their divorce.
After three unhappy unions ending for the same reason, she gave up glamorous Hollywood and a bright future for the joy of motherhood and a peaceful life outside of Los Angeles.
MacGraw fled Hollywood due to financial issues stemming from her previous marriages. Overcoming Obstacles and Finding Peace in Santa Fe. She decided to leave everything behind, move to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and start over there.
1994 saw her move to Santa Fe after a fire in 1993 destroyed her Malibu house in California. She has resided in a sweet little house, where she has enjoyed reading and rock-collecting.
Ali MacGraw poses for a portrait in 1982 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
MacGraw did not consider herself the typical woman who would give in to her partner’s every whim; instead, she found solitude satisfying.
She remembered how McQueen had pushed her to give up her career and live a traditional, domestic existence at home. She was very unhappy with her ex-husband’s choice, though.
Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw in 1972. | Source: Getty Images
In expressing her opinions, MacGraw said it would be unacceptable for a wife to go abroad and a husband to carry on with his life, for example, by kissing someone else for three months and then coming home and expecting everything to be the same.
She stated: “Who wants to dwell on those things? I don’t. I love my life, and to sit around thinking about that stuff is such a bore. And I’m very content with that.”
McQueen remarried but passed away in 1980 after a difficult five-year marriage that resulted in divorce. He was fifty years old. MacGraw felt lost and unable to find comfort after his passing.
She acknowledged that she resorted to unhealthy behaviors like drinking and entering toxic relationships in her book, “Moving Pictures.” MacGraw sought assistance and enrolled in a rehabilitation facility to surmount these obstacles.
Ali MacGraw attends the “Festen” at the Tavern on The Green on April 9, 2006, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
She entered the Betty Ford Center in 1968, a turning point in her life. She claimed that the program had aided her in finding a higher force and the tranquility and order she had long sought.
MacGraw has radiated positivity and has refrained from dwelling on the past. She explained that in the past, she felt her true self was concealed behind a façade of charm, politeness, and conformity, but now that she had fought to shed that persona, she was benefiting from it.
After Fame, Living a Simple and Content Life
Currently 83 years old, MacGraw. The 44-year-old actress is a proud mother and grandma and is single. She is no longer performing and has no intentions of doing so.
The seasoned star acknowledged that her income has been inconsistent lately but believes that her fame is “much more important” than her riches.
Ali MacGraw poses during the photocall before the 2020 Chanel Croisiere fashion show at the Grand Palais on May 3, 2019, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
She was able to adapt to a simpler lifestyle without making any significant sacrifices, which is a choice that many of her peers, who are in comparable circumstances, find difficult to make.
She added that the overwhelming nature of fame could be “exhausting” due to the ongoing focus and chaos in the entertainment industry, even though it may appear glamorous.
She continued: “There’s so much craziness that comes with being a movie star that you can get confused. Unless you’ve spent your whole life waiting to be the center of attention, it’s pretty terrifying.”
When asked to support causes she cares about, such as animal welfare and the environment, MacGraw likes to use her voice even though she may not have much money to contribute.
Ali MacGraw works as a volunteer at the annual International Folk Art Market on July 13, 2014, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. | Source: Getty Images
She had previously worked with Animal Asia, a Vietnamese conservation organization that promoted the protection of bears in that nation. She even traveled there to help them maintain the sanctuary’s open status rather than have it closed.
The fact that MacGraw resides in a small town where numerous groups require assistance has kept her busy. She claimed that Santa Fe is a city that values animals, and she volunteered and supported the animal Protection New Mexico organization.
Because the group has ensured that domestic and wild animals will always be safe, protected, and cared for, she is happy to be part of the “world-class organization” in her small community.
Ali MacGraw reacts to an emotional address by a high school student at a “March For Our Lives” rally on March 24, 2018, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. | Source: Getty Images
She acknowledged that she had to restrain herself from taking more strays home. Furthermore, MacGraw has established close bonds with the local ladies. She was impressed that they didn’t worry about their age or appearance.
She would be content living quietly away from acting in a tiny New Mexico town. She gets up at 5:30 a.m. every day and goes for walks, feeds her animals, gardens, paints, and helps.
She has gone to yoga or Pilates lessons to pursue good health. She uses her daily walk as a meditation, and she practices gratitude for 45 minutes each day.
Ali MacGraw attends Hearst Magazines’ Unbound Access MagFront at Hearst Tower on October 17, 2017, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
In one of her reflections, MacGraw claimed that despite feeling as though something was lacking from her life, she had come to terms with the fact that she was surrounded by wonderful people with who she shared a love.
She considers herself incredibly blessed to have them in her existence. She regularly goes on dates, keeps in touch with a select group of close pals, and mediates.
Ali MacGraw attends Animals Asia: Kindness in Action at NeueHouse Hollywood on March 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
Josh, MacGraw’s only child, who is now a successful novelist, screenwriter, and filmmaker, is someone she treasures spending time with. She said, “My son is a wonderful guy. The adoring mother continued, “He’s my favorite human being on the planet, and he goes out with a girl I’m nuts about. Their relationship is so much about, among other things, friendship, and respect.”
Jackson, Josh’s kid, was born recently. Being a parent is one of the “hardest of jobs,” but it is also one of the most rewarding, says MacGraw, a proud mother and grandmother.
Fb.com
MacGraw has discovered peace and contentment in her straightforward, quiet, and unpretentious Santa Fe existence. She has finally put her past behind her and is concentrating on living in the present and savoring her time with her close friends and family.
Despite her financial difficulties and failed relationships, she has managed to lead a happy life and positively contribute to her community. Since MacGraw demonstrates that true happiness can be discovered in the most unlikely locations, she inspires many.
Find More Articles 👇 👇 👇
