Ali MacGraw at 84: From Hollywood Icon to a Life of Reinvention and Grace

At 84, Ali MacGraw remains a beloved figure — not just for her classic beauty and screen presence, but for the bold choices she made to live life on her own terms.

Born in 1939 in New York, Ali grew up in a creative but financially challenged household. After graduating from the prestigious Wellesley College, she began her career in the fashion world, working behind the scenes before stepping in front of the camera as a model. It wasn’t long before Hollywood took notice.

Her big break came in Goodbye, Columbus (1969), but it was Love Story (1970) that catapulted her to international stardom and earned her an Oscar nomination. Instantly, she became one of the most iconic faces of the era — the epitome of classic Hollywood glamour.

Ali married famed producer Robert Evans, and the couple had a son, Josh. But her personal life took a dramatic turn when she fell in love with her co-star Steve McQueen during the filming of The Getaway. Their relationship was passionate but turbulent, and ultimately led her to leave both Evans and, eventually, the spotlight.

Though she stepped back from acting, Ali’s life has been defined by resilience and reinvention. Today, she’s admired not just as a screen legend, but as a woman who chose authenticity, self-reflection, and grace over fame.