In 1990, Ali MacGraw made a significant move to Tesuque, New Mexico, nestled about 10 miles north of the vibrant city of Santa Fe. This small town, with its population of approximately 1,000 residents, offers breathtaking light and expansive, open landscapes. For Ali, whose early years were spent in the New York suburbs before she catapulted to fame as a movie star at the age of 30, this move felt like a return to her true self. "You know, I’m a strange old bird at this point," the actress candidly shares with Closer. "I’m deeply connected to my community. I lead a life that brings me immense joy."
Like many children of alcoholics, Ali, now 85, grew up constantly seeking approval from others. "I was so desperate to be popular," the star of the iconic 1970 film Love Story reveals, "that I would go to absurd lengths to ensure that every single person in the room liked me." This people-pleasing nature became a defining trait in her early years, shaping her interactions and relationships.
Through the trials of three marriages and numerous affairs, Ali eventually came to realize that pretending to be someone she wasn't only brought her pain and dissatisfaction. "Finally, after all these years, I am starting to feel comfortable in my own skin," she reflects. "I’m no longer wearing someone else's costume; I’m simply being me."
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Ali credits her parents for fostering her love for the arts from an early age. Both her parents were commercial artists who cherished culture and beauty. "They gave us a home filled with incredible books and artistic materials, leaving us with inspiring values," she reminisces. However, her father, Richard, who battled alcoholism, had a volatile temper, often leading to violent outbursts. "There were times when I was genuinely terrified," she admits, recalling the tumultuous atmosphere of her childhood home.
Ali MacGraw’s Early Life: A Journey of Discovery
After completing college, Ali relocated to New York City, where she embarked on a career as a fashion journalist, stylist, and part-time model. Her initial foray into marriage was brief, lasting only two years with Robin Hoen. During this time, she worked closely with the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, an experience that would ultimately change the course of her life.
While working alongside the renowned fashion editor Diana Vreeland, Ali caught the eye of Hollywood producer Robert Evans, who admired her natural charm. He cast her as a wealthy college student who falls for working-class Richard Benjamin in the 1969 film Goodbye, Columbus. This role marked a turning point in Ali's career, earning her the title of Most Promising Newcomer at the 1970 Golden Globes.
Robert Evans, the charismatic and influential head of production at Paramount Studios, showered Ali with lavish gifts and attention. "I had never experienced anything like how he lived — the opulence of it," Ali recalls. "It was exhilarating and flattering, and it spoiled me." The couple tied the knot in 1969, the same year Robert greenlit Love Story as a project for his wife. The film, starring Ryan O'Neal and telling the tragic tale of a young bride, became an instant sensation, leaving Ali astonished by its success. "The overwhelming surprise of Love Story — this low-budget project that no one expected to succeed — completely changed my life," she confesses.
The whirlwind of fame and marriage to Robert dramatically altered Ali's life. When she became pregnant with their son Josh in 1970, both Ali and Robert were thrilled. "In his typical grand gesture, Bob had thousands of tulip bulbs planted in our front yard so that one of my favorite flowers would be in bloom when the baby arrived," she says. Despite her blessings, Ali eventually grew discontent. She realized that life with Robert in Beverly Hills left little room for anything beyond applause and success, leading to the decline of their marriage after the initial triumph of Love Story.
Ali MacGraw’s Complicated Love Life: Lessons Learned
While still married to Robert, Ali met Steve McQueen, her co-star in the 1972 film The Getaway. "I knew I was going to get myself into serious trouble with Steve," she admits. Their relationship was a roller coaster of emotions. "You never knew what he was going to do or say next," she explains. Ignoring the warning signs, Ali divorced Robert and married Steve in 1973.
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The couple settled into the then-bohemian lifestyle of Malibu, where Ali tried to conform to Steve's chauvinistic expectations of marriage. "I played the role of cook, cleaning lady, and 'simple' woman to the fullest extent," she recalls. "For a while, it worked, and we were happy." However, their heavy drinking led to intense arguments, and soon they were both unfaithful to each other. "From the very beginning, I never showed him who I truly was," Ali reflects. "I created a version of myself that I thought would appeal to him, hiding most of who I really am." They divorced in 1978, and Steve tragically passed away two years later from heart failure while undergoing cancer treatment.
