Remember that heartwarming tale, The Parent Trap? British actress Hayley Mills plays identical twins separated by divorce, unaware of each other's existence until summer camp reunites them. These clever girls hatch a plan to switch places, aiming to reunite their estranged parents. With the help of seasoned stars Maureen O’Hara and Brian Keith, this 1961 comedy became a beloved hit, propelling Hayley Mills into the spotlight as America's darling child star.

A Career Sparkled by Disney Magic

Sure, Hayley's life wasn't a fairy tale like the ones she starred in. She starred in six films for the Walt Disney Company, including the iconic Pollyanna and That Darn Cat! But behind the scenes, Hayley grappled with self-doubt and personal challenges. She lost her fortune to taxes, weathered a rocky marriage to a much older man, and battled bulimia. Yet, she stood tall and shares her candid reflections in her new memoir, Forever Young, exclusively with Closer Weekly.

Hayley, now 75, tells it like it is: "Problems never vanish, no matter how rich or famous you become. In fact, they can intensify if you're in the public eye." Born into a family of stars—her father was the renowned actor Sir John Mills, and her mother the playwright Mary Hayley Bell—Hayley wasn't destined for acting initially. That all changed when she joined her father on the set of 1959’s Tiger Bay. Walt Disney saw her spark and signed her to a six-picture contract.

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Disney’s Surrogate Daughter

Hayley cherished her time at Disney, considering Walt a "surrogate father." She recalls, "In the early days, I adored what I did. Walt genuinely loved children, had a fantastic sense of humor, and was an incredible listener. He made it easy to talk to him." Walt wasn't all business; he loved to have fun. Hayley fondly remembers two days at Disneyland with a group of young stars, including Annette Funicello from The Mickey Mouse Club. "[Walt] walked everywhere and went on all the rides with us—even the teacups," she reminisces.

Hayley Mills 'The Parent Trap' — Moviestore/Shutterstock

A Time of Transition

At 18, Hayley decided not to renew her contract with Disney. She felt constrained by the studio's refusal to allow her to take on edgier projects, like the controversial Lolita. But the transition to adult roles proved tougher than expected. "It was challenging because I didn’t truly know who I was," Hayley admits. "I hadn’t attended drama school, and for a long time, I felt like my success was some cosmic error."

At 25, she married filmmaker Roy Boulting, 32 years her senior, a decision that drew criticism from some fans. "Age has never been a concern for me. I grew up surrounded by adults," she explains. The marriage lasted four years but gave her a son, Crispian Mills, and helped her overcome her battle with bulimia. "I was going to have a baby, and I had to take care of myself, so the eating issues just disappeared," she reflects.

Grounded and Grateful

Today, Hayley is confident and content. "I’m a mother. I’ve got five grandchildren. I have an incredible partner; we’ve been together for 24 years," she shares. "I’m proud that I’ve survived my life. Being my age now has its advantages because I’ve learned so much. I’ve gained a lot of wisdom."

— Reporting by Fortune Benatar

For more on this story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.