Love Story actress Ali MacGraw captured the hearts of millions with her unforgettable role in the 1970 romantic film alongside Ryan O’Neal. But behind the scenes, her personal life was anything but a fairy tale. By the time she found fame, Ali had already been married and divorced from her first husband, Robin Hoen. Her journey through love and heartbreak continued as she married and divorced two more times. Let’s dive into the life of this legendary star and the men who shaped her world.
Ali MacGraw’s First Marriage: The Story of Robin Hoen
Before becoming a Hollywood icon, Ali MacGraw was a young woman chasing her dreams in the fashion world. In the early 1960s, she worked as an assistant to the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland. At the time, she was a student at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, where she met her future husband, Robin Hoen, a Harvard student. Their meeting happened at a pivotal moment in Ali’s life—just as she was searching for her big break in the industry.
Just six months after landing her first job in fashion, Ali tied the knot with Robin in 1961. “I was getting married to a wonderful man, whose family wanted me in the Social Register,” she revealed to The Sydney Morning Herald in 2019. In her quest to make it into the prestigious Social Register, Ali had her headshots taken by renowned photographer Melvin Sokolsky, who later offered her a job as a stylist. This marked the beginning of her illustrious career in fashion before she transitioned into acting. However, the marriage was short-lived; Ali and Robin divorced in 1962 after only a year together.
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Ali’s Second Marriage: The Hollywood Power Couple with Robert Evans
In 1969, Ali MacGraw married film producer Robert Evans, marking the start of another significant chapter in her life. Robert, who had a brief acting career, eventually found his true calling behind the scenes, producing some of Paramount’s most iconic films, including The Godfather and Chinatown. Together, they welcomed their only child, son Josh Evans, in 1971. Their family grew even more when Josh and his second wife, Roxy Saint, became parents to their son, Jackson, in 2010.
Despite their initial happiness, Ali and Robert’s marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1972. Robert, known for his tumultuous love life, went on to marry and divorce seven times before passing away in October 2019 at the age of 89. The couple’s time together, though brief, left an indelible mark on both their lives.
Ali’s Third Marriage: The Glamorous but Troubled Life with Steve McQueen
Ali MacGraw’s third marriage was to none other than Hollywood legend Steve McQueen. The couple met on the set of the 1972 film The Getaway, where they quickly fell in love and tied the knot in 1973 in Wyoming. Steve, a global superstar known for his roles in films like The Great Escape and The Sand Pebbles, was one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. With four Golden Globe nominations and numerous blockbuster hits under his belt, he was a force to be reckoned with.
During their marriage, Ali took a step back from her acting career to focus on her family. “He was the biggest movie star in the world and he didn’t want me to work,” she recalled. “So I essentially quit making movies and took care of my child.” Despite their love, the marriage ended in 1978. In 1980, Steve married model Barbara Minty, but tragically, he passed away just eight months later at the age of 50 from a heart attack following surgery to remove cancerous tumors.
