Ali MacGraw became a Hollywood sensation overnight, only to step away from the spotlight just as quickly.
Now 84, the former actress has embraced a quiet life in a small, remote town, gracefully embracing her gray hair.
Early Life and Family Struggles
Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, Ali was the daughter of artists Frances and Richard MacGraw. Her mother, who once worked in Paris, later settled in Greenwich Village, while her father, a former orphan, carried deep-seated anger over his difficult childhood.
Financial struggles were constant in the MacGraw household. The family lived in a shared home with an elderly couple, lacking privacy. Frances took on commercial art assignments to support them, while Richard struggled to sell his paintings, often taking out his frustration on Ali’s brother, Richard Jr.
Entering the Fashion World
Determined to forge her own creative path, Ali earned a scholarship to Rosemary Hall prep school before studying at Wellesley College. At 22, she moved to New York and landed a job at Harper’s Bazaar, eventually catching the eye of fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky. She worked as a stylist for six years before stepping in front of the camera, quickly becoming a sought-after model.
A Sudden Rise to Stardom
Ali’s transition to acting came unexpectedly. After a minor role in A Lovely Way to Die (1968), she gained attention in Goodbye, Columbus (1969), winning a Golden Globe. However, it was her performance in Love Story (1970) alongside Ryan O’Neal that made her a household name. The romantic drama became a massive box-office hit, earning her an Academy Award nomination and another Golden Globe.
Love, Loss, and Hollywood’s Dark Side
During this time, Ali married film producer Robert Evans, with whom she had a son, Josh Evans. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she fell for Steve McQueen while filming The Getaway (1972). Their passionate relationship led to marriage, but McQueen’s controlling nature forced Ali to give up her career. His jealousy and possessiveness eventually led to their divorce in 1978.
Following their split, Ali struggled with addiction, entering the Betty Ford Clinic in 1986. She later faced another hardship when her California home was destroyed in a wildfire in 1993, prompting her move to a quiet village near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Life Beyond Hollywood
Ali never fully left the public eye, dabbling in interior design and working on projects like yoga videos and animal rights advocacy. She reunited with Ryan O’Neal in a Broadway production in 2006 but has largely remained out of the spotlight.
Her son, Josh Evans, followed in her Hollywood footsteps, making a name for himself as an actor and director. He has since built a successful career, directing films and raising a family of his own—something Ali cherishes deeply.
Despite the ups and downs, Ali MacGraw has embraced a life of simplicity, creativity, and purpose, proving that true fulfillment goes beyond fame.
