Every morning, Ali MacGraw greets the dawn with a sense of gratitude and purpose. After tending to her beloved pets, she steps outside her long-time home in Tesuque, New Mexico, for a reflective walk. “Walking is my meditation,” she shares, her voice filled with warmth. “It’s forty-five minutes of pure gratitude for all the blessings I’ve been given.”
A World Away From Hollywood
At 83, Ali has come a long way from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Now, she’s found contentment far from the spotlight. Her journey hasn’t been easy—it’s been marked by highs and lows, triumphs and challenges. After her breakout role as the tragic bride in the 1970 film Love Story, she faced a series of personal and professional struggles, including failed marriages, harsh reviews, and a stint at the Betty Ford Clinic. But through it all, she discovered her inner peace. “I don’t care about being trendy anymore—thank goodness!” Ali laughs, confessing she was a “slow learner” when it came to finding self-worth. “It’s a classic case of thinking, ‘I’m only somebody if you’re looking at me.’ But now, I’ve found my footing.”
From Stylist to Screen Sensation
Back in the early 1970s, Ali MacGraw was the talk of the town. As a photographer’s assistant and stylist in New York, she was asked to model for a Chanel ad, which caught the eye of a film executive. This led to her first big role in Goodbye, Columbus in 1969. But it was her performance in Love Story, opposite Ryan O’Neal, that catapulted her to international fame. Nominated for an Academy Award, she graced the covers of Time, Harper’s Bazaar, and more. Yet, despite her overnight success, Ali struggled with the pressures of fame. “It was a blessing, but I wasn’t ready for it,” she admits. “I wish I had been more prepared to deliver quality work.” Critics were harsh about her inexperience in later acting roles, and her personal life was equally tumultuous.
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The Price of Fame
Married to producer Robert Evans, Ali lived a lavish but lonely life in Hollywood. Even after the birth of their son, Josh, she felt isolated. Her marriage to Evans ended, and she found herself in a new relationship with Steve McQueen, her co-star in The Getaway. “Steve was the biggest star in the world, and he didn’t want me to work,” she recalls. “So, I stopped making movies and focused on raising my child.”
A Turning Point
By 1985, Ali had been through three divorces, a string of ill-fated romances, and was deeply unhappy. Seeking help, she checked into the Betty Ford Clinic, where she gave up alcohol and men for a year. “My time there was the most terrifying and transformative experience of my life,” she says. “It taught me about faith and gave me a sense of peace and order I’d always yearned for.”
New Beginnings in New Mexico
Moving to New Mexico full-time was a game-changer for Ali. She fell in love with the community of strong, authentic women who didn’t chase trends or fear aging. “I let my hair go natural too,” she says with a smile. Today, she enjoys a close-knit circle of friends, dates occasionally, and devotes her time to animal welfare causes. “She’s a writer, painter, gardener, and still practices yoga and meditation daily,” shares a close friend.
