For decades, she graced the silver screen with a beauty and presence that seemed almost ethereal. Her career was the embodiment of Hollywood glamourâfame, success, and a romance with one of cinemaâs most legendary leading men.
But beneath the glitz and applause was a woman quietly fighting to hold on to her sense of self.
Now, at 88, the iconic actress credits her unwavering faith for carrying her through the heartbreaks and challenges that shaped her remarkable journey.
A Star Among the Greats
Her career spanned genres and generations, marked by performances that balanced grace, intelligence, and emotional depth. Over the years, she earned three Academy Award nominations, three Golden Globe nominationsâwinning oneâand a coveted Saturn Award.
In 1983, she was immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her enduring legacy.
Audiences adored her in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, The Last of Sheila, Heaven Can Wait, and Deathtrap. Whether in comedy, drama, or suspense, her versatility made her one of the most respected and admired talents of her era.
Yet, her most compelling story unfolded not under the bright lights of Hollywood, but in the quiet intimacy of a love affair that would forever alter the course of her life.
The Love That Tested Her Spirit
As the story goes, one night in 1961, the dashing Cary Grant sat alone in his Beverly Hills home, the glow of the television flickering across his face. It was a late-night broadcastâordinary and unremarkableâuntil a young woman appeared on the screen.
She was in her early twenties, her honey-blond hair tumbling over one eye, her delicate features and expressive gaze instantly captivating him. In that moment, Grantâs attention was fixed, and Hollywoodâs next great love story quietly began to unfold.
Intrigued, Grant wasted no time uncovering the mystery of the young woman who had captured his attention. He soon learned that she was already a familiar face on television, her charm and wit making her a rising star. Determined to meet her, the Hollywood legend began pulling every string at his disposal, calling anyone who might help him track her down.
In the swinging 1960s, the actress with the unforgettable laugh found herself swept into a romance with one of Hollywoodâs greatest leading men â Cary Grant. Their relationship unfolded like a scene from one of his films: the suave icon of sophistication pursued her tirelessly for eight months before she finally agreed to a date.
Called Everyone Imaginable
As the story goes, one quiet night in 1961, Cary Grant sat alone in his Beverly Hills home, watching television as midnight neared. A forgettable program flickered on the screen â until a striking young woman appeared. She couldnât have been more than her early twenties, her honey-blond hair cascading over one eye, a delicate button nose, luminous eyes, and full, captivating lips.
Grant was instantly entranced. He set out to learn everything about her, soon discovering she was already making her mark in television. Enchanted and relentless, he made call after call â to agents, producers, anyone who could put him in touch â until he finally found her.
When they eventually married, she was 28, and he was 61.
âI loved him deeply and was committed to him,â she would later reflect.
Yet, beneath the glamour of their union lay expectations that would test both love and identity.
âHe wanted me to quit my acting career â and I did. He wanted to change my hair, the way I dressed, the way I walked, even the way I wrote. And I so wanted to make him happy,â she once confessed.
Determined to please him, she tried to mold herself into the woman he imagined. But the harder she tried, the more she felt herself slipping away.
âI would try to close the cupboards more gently⌠try to drive with both hands on the steering wheel,â she recalled, reflecting on the quiet ways she adjusted her every move to avoid disapproval.
Over time, she came to a painful realization: no amount of change could bridge the growing void between them.
âIf you go against your deepest feelings⌠youâre screwed,â she admitted candidly.
Their marriage lasted only three years, ending in 1968. At the time of their divorce, the 30-year-old actress accused Grant of treating her in âa cruel and inhuman manner.â She alleged that he had pushed her to the brink of a nervous breakdown and had even persuaded her to take LSDâsomething she said she tried only twice. Beyond that, she claimed he struck her, laughing as he did so.
Court documents later revealed the staggering financial gap between them: in 1967, Grantâs annual income was roughly $500,000, with a personal fortune exceeding $10 million.
Walking away and starting over
But leaving that marriage â and reclaiming her sense of self â would prove to be one of the hardest things she ever did.
