Let me tell you a story that goes back six decades, but it feels like yesterday for Paula Stewart. She recalls the exact moment she met Lucille Ball during the first cast reading of Lucy's Broadway musical, Wildcat. Picture this: the legendary redhead walks into the room, and Paula, a young actress, is completely mesmerized.

"Lucy looked absolutely stunning," Paula shares with Closer Weekly, which is on newsstands right now. "She was wearing a black dress with pearls. I just couldn't figure out how this elegant woman could be the same clown we all knew and loved from TV." It's a moment that stayed with Paula forever.

A Helping Hand and a Lasting Friendship

By 1960, Lucille Ball was already a Hollywood icon, but she was feeling the pressure of stepping into the world of Broadway with her singing debut. "During one of the breaks in rehearsals, I noticed Lucy standing in a corner, nervously smoking a cigarette," Paula recalls. "So, I walked over and offered to help her with her songs." As a trained singer with a Broadway background, Paula was the perfect person to lend a hand. "She just hugged me. She was so grateful to have someone there to support her." And just like that, the seeds of a friendship that would last nearly 30 years were planted.

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A New Chapter in Lucy's Life

In the early days of their friendship, Lucy was navigating a tough time after ending her 20-year marriage to Desi Arnaz. "I could see that Lucy would often retreat to her apartment after rehearsals, and she was clearly lonely," Paula explains. "So, I decided to introduce her to Gary Morton, a nightclub comic. He was tall and good-looking. They seemed like a great match." The introduction worked wonders. In 1961, Lucy and Gary got married in a small, intimate ceremony in New York, with Paula serving as the maid of honor. "Lucy loved Gary in a way that was simple and easy, something she couldn't have with Desi," Paula says. "Plus, she'd been so lonely, and Gary filled that void for her. She reminded me of that almost every day."

Lucille Ball Photos — Peter Heimsath/Shutterstock

Supporting Each Other Through Tough Times

Later in life, Lucy was there for Paula during her own struggles, including a divorce and financial difficulties. "When I went bankrupt, Lucy was the first person to step up and say, 'Don't worry, we'll get through this,'" Paula shares in her memoir, Lucy Loved Me. "She supported me for several years and even let me live in her guest house for months. She truly saved me." Despite her on-screen antics, Lucy was surprisingly serious in real life. "People remember that wild character from TV, but she was nothing like that," Paula reveals. "She was very proper and dignified." Lucy was also a devoted mother to her children, Lucie and Desi Jr. "Even with her busy schedule, she insisted on bringing her kids with her when she went to New York to do Wildcat. That's how much she cared about them," Paula says.

Lucy and Paula shared many fun moments together. "She introduced me to backgammon, and we played a lot," Paula recalls. "But what she really loved to do was shop. She had a passion for beautiful clothes, and we would visit the top designers. Halston was her favorite, and he designed so many pieces for her." Lucy also loved a good deal. "She loved that I would go to auctions and find unique things," Paula says. "And can you believe it? She was a fan of the 99 Cents Store!"

A Simple Life and a Lasting Legacy

Even as a Hollywood icon, Lucy remained down-to-earth until her passing in 1989 at the age of 77. "She'd attend the fancy parties, but her true life was simple, and her closest friends were ordinary people," Paula says. "She never thought she was better than anyone else." And her loyalty never wavered. "Lucy was loving and warm. I miss her so much," Paula concludes.

— Paula Chin, with reporting by Rick Egusquiza

For more on this heartwarming story, grab the latest issue of Closer magazine, available on newsstands now.