Ali MacGraw became an overnight sensation in Hollywood, but just as quickly as she rose to fame, she chose to walk away from the spotlight. At 85 years old, Ali now enjoys a peaceful life in a small, remote town, gracefully embracing her gray hair and simple lifestyle. Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, she grew up in a creative but troubled home. Her mother, Frances, was an artist who had worked in Paris and later taught in Greenwich Village. Her father, Richard, also an artist, carried deep emotional scars from his childhood in an orphanage.
He ran away at 16, sailed the world, and eventually studied art in Munich. Ali described him as a man haunted by anger, never forgiving his birth parents for abandoning him. Their family faced financial hardship, living in a shared house with little privacy. Frances supported the family through her art, while Richard struggled to sell his paintings, often taking out his frustration on Ali’s younger brother, Richard Jr. Despite the difficult home life, Ali found inspiration in her parents’ artistic pursuits and earned a scholarship to the prestigious Rosemary Hall prep school before attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
By the time she was 22, Ali had moved to New York City and landed a job as an assistant editor at Harper’s Bazaar. She worked under legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, who famously ordered her around like a character straight out of The Devil Wears Prada. Eventually, Ali caught the attention of photographer Melvin Sokolsky, who hired her as a stylist with a better salary. She worked tirelessly, often staying late into the night to complete tasks. Soon enough, Ali’s beauty led her to a modeling career, gracing magazine covers and starring in television commercials. Though she had once been sketched nude by Salvador Dali, his odd behavior convinced her she was better suited for acting than modeling.
Ali transitioned into acting in the late 1960s, landing a small role in A Lovely Way to Die. Her big break came with Goodbye, Columbus in 1969, which earned her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. But it was her role as Jenny in Love Story (1970) that catapulted her to international stardom. Ali was deeply moved by the script and convinced Paramount executive Robert Evans to cast her. Not only did Evans give her the part, but he also fell in love with her. Love Story became the highest-grossing film in the U.S. at the time and earned Ali an Academy Award nomination and a second Golden Globe. She married Evans in 1969, and they had a son, Josh, in 1971.
Despite her meteoric rise, Ali’s life took a dramatic turn when she starred opposite Steve McQueen in The Getaway. Their on-set chemistry turned into a passionate affair. Ali left Evans and moved in with McQueen and her young son. While initially drawn to McQueen’s rebellious spirit, she soon realized he had deep-seated trust issues. McQueen insisted she give up her career and stay home, often demanding her complete attention. His controlling behavior and infidelities eventually led to their divorce in 1978. Ali later revealed that Steve’s idea of a partner didn’t include an independent woman with her own ambitions.
After her divorce, Ali struggled with substance abuse. She showed up to the set of Convoy (1978) under the influence and realized it was time to quit drugs. While she took roles in films like Players and Just Tell Me What You Want, none found success. She eventually left Hollywood behind, frustrated by how cruel the industry was to women over 40. Turning her creative energy toward interior design, she later made brief returns to acting in miniseries such as The Winds of War and China Rose. Yet, she couldn’t shake feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. In 1986, Ali checked herself into the Betty Ford Clinic, seeking help for alcoholism.
Ali rebuilt her life, focusing on recovery and community. In 1993, after a wildfire destroyed her home in California, she relocated to Tesuque, a village north of Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, she found a new sense of purpose, volunteering at the International Folk Art Market and dedicating herself to animal welfare. Though she largely stepped away from acting, she reunited with Love Story co-star Ryan O’Neal in 2006 for a stage production of Festen. Ali has also released successful yoga videos and remains open to new projects, sharing in interviews that she’s happiest when being creative.
Her son, Josh Evans, followed in her Hollywood footsteps, becoming a successful actor and director. Born in 1971, Josh had early roles in films like Dream a Little Dream and Born on the Fourth of July. He later starred in The Doors and directed several films, including Death in the Desert. Josh has said he prefers working behind the camera, but he’s not opposed to acting if the right opportunity comes along. In 2012, he married singer Roxy Saint, and together they have a son, Jackson. Ali adores her family and enjoys spending time with them, often speaking proudly of Josh’s accomplishments and his loving relationship with Roxy.
Ali MacGraw’s journey from Hollywood superstar to a life of quiet fulfillment is a testament to her resilience and strength. Despite the sacrifices she made for love and the hardships she faced, she has built a meaningful life centered on creativity, family, and giving back to the community.
