Ali MacGraw: Hollywood Legend Who Walked Away from Fame and Found Peace in a Quiet Mountain Town

Once the face of a generation, Ali MacGraw captured hearts around the world in just a few short years. Her screen presence, marked by quiet intensity and stunning beauty, made her an icon of the early 1970s. But unlike many Hollywood stars, MacGraw made a deliberate decision to walk away from the glitz and glare of celebrity life—and today, she lives far from the cameras, in a small New Mexico village where peace and privacy have become her greatest luxuries.

Now 86, the once-rising starlet who graced countless magazine covers and lit up movie screens with her soulful performances has embraced a different kind of life—one rooted in simplicity, purpose, and healing.

A Childhood Marked by Struggle and Creative Roots

Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, Ali grew up in a household of artists. Her mother Frances was a commercial artist with a European flair, having worked in Paris before returning to the U.S. Her father, Richard MacGraw, had a deeply troubled past. Raised in an orphanage and emotionally scarred by abandonment, he eventually studied art in Munich and brought both talent and turmoil into the home.

Though creativity flowed through the family’s veins, financial security did not. Ali and her brother, Richard Jr., grew up in shared quarters on a wilderness preserve with an elderly couple, often lacking privacy and personal space.

Her father’s unpredictable temper cast a shadow over their childhood, particularly toward her brother, who became the target of his outbursts.

Yet despite the chaos, Ali’s spirit was forged in resilience—and her drive toward artistic expression never wavered.

From Fashion Floors to Film Sets

Ali attended the elite Rosemary Hall preparatory school and later graduated from Wellesley College. After school, she began working in the fast-paced New York fashion scene, initially taking a position as a low-level assistant for the legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland. While the job seemed menial, it proved to be her stepping stone.

Her hard work and striking beauty caught the attention of photographer Melvin Sokolsky, who promoted her to stylist. For six years, she built a strong reputation in the fashion world. Eventually, she stepped in front of the camera, appearing on magazine covers and in television ads.

One bizarre encounter with Salvador Dalí, who sketched her nude and then shockingly sucked her toes, turned her off modeling entirely. Acting suddenly looked like a safer, more fulfilling path.

Stardom Arrives—Then Explodes

Her film debut in A Lovely Way to Die (1968) led to her breakout in Goodbye, Columbus (1969), which earned her a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.

Her next film, Love Story (1970), made her a global star. Starring alongside Ryan O’Neal, MacGraw played Jenny—a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination and another Golden Globe.

The film became a cultural phenomenon and one of the highest-grossing movies of its time.

Love and Loss Behind the Scenes

MacGraw married Paramount executive Robert Evans, who had helped greenlight Love Story, but their union soon fell apart when she met Steve McQueen.

The two starred in The Getaway (1972), and their off-screen romance quickly escalated. MacGraw left Evans to be with McQueen, but life with the Hollywood rebel came at a cost. McQueen was controlling and emotionally distant.

Eventually, MacGraw walked away from the relationship, but not before agreeing to a prenup that left her with nothing after their 1978 divorce.

Decline and Healing

Following a string of less successful films and growing personal demons, MacGraw turned to alcohol and drugs. A stint in the Betty Ford Clinic in 1986 became a turning point.

She later turned her attention to creativity offscreen, briefly trying interior design and yoga instruction. But Hollywood wasn’t done with her just yet—she returned for a few miniseries roles in the ’80s and reunited with Ryan O’Neal on Broadway in 2006.

A Life Rebuilt in Nature

After a wildfire destroyed her Malibu home in 1993, Ali relocated to Tesuque, a quiet village near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

There, she embraced a peaceful life surrounded by art, culture, and animals. She volunteers at local art events and has become a beloved figure in her community—not for her fame, but for her kindness.

A Son’s Legacy

Ali’s son, Josh Evans, born in 1971, carved out a successful Hollywood career of his own. As both an actor and director, he found his own voice in the industry.

Josh is married to musician Roxy Saint and is father to Ali’s only grandchild, Jackson. Ali cherishes her time with her family, calling Josh her “favorite human being.”

Looking Ahead with Gratitude

Even in her 80s, Ali MacGraw remains curious, creative, and open to new experiences. Whether through yoga, art, or simply enjoying the high desert air, she continues to live life on her own terms.

A once-reluctant star, Ali has transformed herself many times over—and perhaps that is her greatest role of all.

If Ali MacGraw’s story inspired you, please share it with someone who believes it’s never too late to find peace and purpose.