Here’s a woman who’s been a Hollywood icon for decades, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Henry Kissinger, Salvador Dalí, and even double-dating with the legendary Frank Sinatra. And yet, at 74, Candice Bergen remains as grounded as ever. This isn’t just the icy blond beauty we’ve seen on screen; she’s a woman who’s unapologetically at peace with her age. "I just don’t dwell on it," she says with a shrug. "It’s part of life. Why feel ashamed about growing older? It’s something we all do, and I think there’s beauty in that."
Though her glamorous past included dining with royalty like Grace Kelly and Monaco’s Prince Rainier, Candice’s present is just as fulfilling. She recently welcomed her first grandchild, is shining in Steven Soderbergh’s new film Let Them All Talk alongside Meryl Streep and Dianne Wiest, and even dabbles in selling her hand-designed merchandise online. "I’m embracing being 74," she says with a laugh. "My hair’s gone white, and I’ve got a little wattle—but who cares? This is me now, and I love it."
Any lingering resentment she once felt about being typecast as just a pretty face has long since faded. "Candice is an eternal optimist," an insider shares with Closer. "Her confidence has only grown stronger with time. She’s learned not to let fame define her, and she’s completely comfortable in her own skin."
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It wasn’t always this way. Back when she was starting out in films like The Group and The Sand Pebbles, Candice struggled with the weight of her beauty. "Doctors would come up to me and ask if they could take a cast of my nose," she recalls with a wry smile. "That’s all people saw—what I looked like. It was frustrating." But over time, she found her voice through photography, writing, and, of course, her acting. Her Oscar-nominated role in Starting Over and her unforgettable turn as Murphy Brown solidified her place as more than just a pretty face. "Murphy Brown was the perfect character," she muses. "She was both appealing and infuriating—just like life."
Family: The Heart of Her Life
For Candice, family has always been the anchor that keeps her grounded. After marrying her first husband, director Louis Malle, and having their daughter Chloe, she discovered a depth of joy she hadn’t known before. "The birth of my daughter was the most profound moment in my life," she says. And now, with her grandson Artie, whom she affectionately calls "the dumpling," she’s experiencing a new kind of happiness. "He’s this incredible little bundle of joy," she gushes. "He’s the ultimate gift."
Her life today is full of simple pleasures. Between promoting Let Them All Talk, which is now streaming on HBO Max, and enjoying quiet moments with her second husband, real estate developer Marshall Rose>, Candice is living her best life. She’s been known to stroll through Central Park in her pajamas, a cozy Amazon-bought coat, and her dog Bruce by her side. Her daughter Chloe notes, "Mom’s so relaxed these days—it’s like she’s finally letting herself enjoy the moment."
A Life Still Full of Possibilities
Despite stepping away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Candice shows no signs of slowing down. She’s already working on another film with Dustin Hoffman and continues to inspire others by embracing this chapter of her life with open arms. "Younger women need to know that life doesn’t stop when you hit a certain age," she emphasizes. "At any stage, your life can be rich, engaging, and yes, even sexy." Candice isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving.
— Lisa Chambers, with reporting by Natalie Posner
