She was considered the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. Today at 85, she is unrecognizable.


Ali MacGraw became a Hollywood sensation almost overnight, rising to fame in the late 1960s. Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, Ali grew up with artistic parents. Her mother, Frances, worked in Paris and Greenwich Village as an artist, and her father, Richard, was also an artist but struggled with issues from his own childhood.

Ali’s career started far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. By age 22, she was living in New York and working as an assistant editor at Harper’s Bazaar. A fashion editor named Diana Vreeland hired her as a “flunkie,” a lowly assistant. However, her beauty was soon noticed by fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky, and she transitioned from behind the scenes to a modeling career, gracing magazine covers worldwide.

Her beauty and natural presence led her to acting. After a small role in A Lovely Way to Die (1968), she earned widespread recognition for her performance in Goodbye, Columbus (1969), winning a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. Her breakthrough came with the film Love Story (1970), which became a massive box office hit. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and another Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Despite her professional success, Ali’s personal life took center stage. She married film producer Robert Evans in 1969, and they had a son, Josh Evans. However, her relationship with actor Steve McQueen, whom she met while filming The Getaway (1972), led to her divorce from Evans. Her marriage to McQueen was rocky, marked by his controlling behavior and jealousy over her career.

Ali’s time with McQueen took a toll on her personal and professional life. After their divorce in 1978, her career faltered, and she struggled with alcohol and drugs. She hit a low point when she arrived intoxicated on the set of Convoy (1978), which led her to quit drugs. In 1986, she entered the Betty Ford Clinic, where she turned her life around.

After a period of recovery, Ali faced another setback when her California home was destroyed by a wildfire in 1993. She moved to Tesuque, New Mexico, where she embraced a quieter, more peaceful life. While she largely stepped away from acting, she made a notable return to the stage in 2006, reuniting with her Love Story co-star Ryan O’Neal in a Broadway adaptation.

Today, Ali enjoys a fulfilling life away from the spotlight, focusing on community work and creative pursuits. Her son, Josh Evans, has followed in her footsteps, making a name for himself as a Hollywood actor and director. Despite her tumultuous journey, Ali MacGraw continues to inspire with her resilience and grace. At 84, she remains open to new adventures and grateful for the lessons life has taught her.


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