Ali MacGraw, born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, quickly ascended to Hollywood stardom but just as swiftly retreated from the limelight. Her early life was shaped by her artistic parents, Frances and Richard, and the financial scarcity that led them to share a cramped home with limited privacy. Ali’s father, a survivor of a harsh orphanage childhood, carried deep-seated anger that manifested in abuse towards her brother, creating a challenging home environment. Despite this, Ali pursued her own creative aspirations, earning a scholarship to Rosemary Hall and later studying at Wellesley College before moving to New York at 22.

In New York, MacGraw began her career in fashion, initially as an assistant editor at Harper’s Bazaar, a role she famously likened to “salmon flute” under the demanding Diana Vreeland. Her striking beauty caught the eye of fashion photographer Melvin Sokolsky, leading her to a better-paying position as a stylist, a role she excelled at for six years. Her strong work ethic was noted by colleagues, and it wasn’t long before she was asked to model, gracing magazine covers and appearing in TV commercials. This exposure eventually led her to acting, a path she chose after a peculiar encounter with Salvador Dalí convinced her that acting was preferable to modeling.

MacGraw’s transition to film was immediate and impactful. Untrained in acting, her natural presence and stunning beauty resonated with audiences. After a small role in 1968, her breakthrough came with Goodbye, Columbus (1969), earning her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Female Newcomer. The following year, she achieved international stardom with Love Story (1970). She captivated producer Robert Evans, who not only cast her as Jenny but also fell in love with her. Love Story became a massive success, leading to an Oscar nomination for MacGraw, a second Golden Globe win, and solidifying her status as a major star.

The early 1970s saw MacGraw as a Hollywood sensation, but her personal life soon took a dramatic turn. Her marriage to Robert Evans ended when she began an affair with Steve McQueen, her co-star in The Getaway. She left Evans to live with McQueen and her son, Josh, initially drawn to his rebellious nature. However, MacGraw soon discovered McQueen’s own deep-seated issues, including a distrust of women stemming from his childhood. He disapproved of her working, demanded she be home every night, and exhibited controlling behavior, including jealousy and insisting on a restrictive prenuptial agreement. This period marked a darker time for MacGraw, leading to struggles with alcohol and drugs, and a significant decline in her film career.

After checking into the Betty Ford Clinic in 1986 and later losing her California home in a wildfire, MacGraw decided to leave Los Angeles, settling in a small town near Santa Fe, New Mexico. There, she found a quieter life, engaging in community work and being embraced by her neighbors as a local, not a former star. Although she largely stepped away from acting, she reunited with Ryan O’Neal for a Broadway production in 2006 and has dedicated herself to animal rights and producing yoga videos. Her son, Josh Evans, has followed in his parents’ footsteps as an actor and director, and Ali MacGraw, now 85, continues to age gracefully, embracing new experiences, and cherishing her family, including her grandson.