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5 Candid Secrets From Ali MacGraw At 85: Life After Hollywood, Steve McQueen, And The Art Of Aging

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As of December 18, 2025, the iconic star of Love Story, Ali MacGraw, remains a beacon of timeless style and resilience, candidly sharing her reflections on a life lived both in the blinding spotlight of Hollywood and the quiet solitude of the American Southwest. Now 85, the actress has been the subject of renewed media interest, not for a new film role, but for her profoundly honest accounts of her tumultuous past, particularly her marriage to legendary actor Steve McQueen, and her deliberate choice to pursue a life of authenticity away from the chaos of fame.

Her journey from a breakout Golden Globe-winning actress in Goodbye, Columbus to an Oscar-nominated global sensation in Love Story, and finally to a contented activist in New Mexico, serves as a powerful narrative on reinvention. MacGraw’s recent interviews offer fresh insights into how she navigated personal heartbreak, financial ruin, and the pressures of celebrity to find peace, proving that true grace comes not from avoiding life’s challenges, but from embracing them.

Complete Biography: The Life of Elizabeth Alice MacGraw

Elizabeth Alice MacGraw, known professionally as Ali MacGraw, is an American actress and model who became one of the defining faces of 1970s cinema. Her career, though relatively brief in its peak, left an indelible mark on Hollywood history.

  • Full Name: Elizabeth Alice MacGraw
  • Date of Birth: April 1, 1939
  • Place of Birth: Pound Ridge, New York, U.S.
  • Education: Wellesley College (B.A., 1960)
  • Early Career: Began as an assistant to Diana Vreeland at Harper's Bazaar magazine, later working as a fashion model and interior decorator.
  • Spouses:
    • Robin Hoen (m. 1960; div. 1962)
    • Robert Evans (m. 1969; div. 1973) - A prominent film producer.
    • Steve McQueen (m. 1973; div. 1978) - Her co-star in The Getaway.
  • Child: Josh Evans (with Robert Evans)
  • Notable Filmography: Goodbye, Columbus (1969), Love Story (1970), The Getaway (1972), Convoy (1978).
  • Awards: Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress (all for Love Story).

The Candid Confessions: Life After Hollywood and Steve McQueen

The most compelling recent narrative surrounding Ali MacGraw at 85 revolves around her willingness to discuss the shadows of her past, particularly her high-profile and turbulent marriage to "King of Cool," Steve McQueen.

MacGraw’s relationship with McQueen began notoriously on the set of the 1972 film The Getaway, leading her to leave her marriage to producer Robert Evans. She has since spoken openly about the intense, yet ultimately destructive, nature of their five-year union, describing the "horrors" of being married to the actor, who struggled with addiction and controlling behavior.

In a powerful move of self-preservation, MacGraw made the difficult decision to step away from the Hollywood machine entirely. She has recounted losing everything in 1993, which prompted her permanent move to the serene, artistic community of Santa Fe, New Mexico. This geographical and spiritual relocation was a necessary step to reclaim her identity outside of her famous husbands and celebrated film roles. She now resides in a "tiny" village cottage in Tesuque, north of Santa Fe, where she is known as an activist and ambassador at large for the local community.

This period of her life, marked by resilience and a return to authenticity, is a central theme in her current reflections. She often emphasizes the importance of living a life free from the superficial demands of Tinseltown. The death of her beloved Love Story co-star, Ryan O'Neal, in late 2023, also prompted MacGraw to reflect on the deep, lasting bonds forged during her cinematic heyday.

Timeless Secrets: Ali MacGraw’s Philosophy on Aging Gracefully at 85

Unlike many of her contemporaries, Ali MacGraw has become an icon for her natural approach to aging. She has consistently rejected the pressure to undergo extensive cosmetic surgery, instead championing a philosophy centered on inner peace, self-acceptance, and a healthy lifestyle.

Her "timeless secrets" are less about external beauty treatments and more about a holistic approach to life:

  • Authenticity Over Artifice: MacGraw is celebrated for embracing her age, wrinkles, and natural appearance, encouraging women to find confidence in their own authentic selves.
  • The Power of Movement: A long-time practitioner of yoga, she credits physical activity and movement for maintaining her vitality and mental clarity well into her 80s.
  • Connecting with Nature: Her life in New Mexico, surrounded by the mountains and desert landscape, is a deliberate choice to ground herself and live closer to nature. This environment provides the peace she sought after leaving the frantic pace of Los Angeles.
  • Focus on Inner Life: She has spoken with figures like Oprah Winfrey about her lack of fear regarding aging, attributing her peace to focusing on her inner life and emotional well-being rather than external validation.

This natural elegance is often noted by fashion commentators, who praise her enduring style—a blend of bohemian chic and classic tailoring—as a masterclass in ageless fashion.

The Lasting Legacy of Love Story and Ryan O'Neal

While Ali MacGraw’s life has been defined by multiple chapters, her role as Jennifer Cavilleri in the 1970 film Love Story remains her most enduring legacy. The film, which earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination, cemented her status as a cultural phenomenon.

The chemistry between MacGraw and her co-star, Ryan O'Neal (who played Oliver Barrett IV), was central to the film's success, creating one of cinema's most famous and tragic couples. In recent years, before O'Neal's passing, the two reunited to star in a revival of A.R. Gurney's play, Love Letters, which allowed them to reconnect with their shared history and their fans.

MacGraw’s reflections on the film today are nuanced. She acknowledges the immense impact of the movie, which popularized the famous line, "Love means never having to say you're sorry," while also maintaining a healthy distance from the intensity of the fame it brought. Her ability to appreciate the art while rejecting the celebrity culture that followed is a testament to her maturity and self-awareness.

At 85, Ali MacGraw is not simply an actress from the past; she is a living testament to the power of a well-examined life. Her story—from the heights of Hollywood glamour and the depths of personal struggle to the quiet contentment of her New Mexico home—is a roadmap for finding peace. She has successfully redefined her narrative, proving that the most compelling role she has ever played is simply being herself.

ali macgraw at 85
ali macgraw at 85

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