Fans still admire how the seasoned actress looks today. Now in her later years, she once shared that she was happy with her life after facing many health struggles and emotional pain.
The TV star, now 82, became famous as one of the most beautiful blondes on television. Along with her looks, her career and personal life also received a lot of attention.
Her rise in the spotlight came with more than just admiration for her talent. She earned titles like “the best-looking woman in America” from People magazine in April 1985 and a spot among “America’s 10 most beautiful women” in Harper’s Bazaar that September.
The Hollywood star was also labeled “the new blonde image of the 1980s” in a Clairol-backed independent poll.Despite the praise and glamorous titles, her private world was filled with deep pain that few could see.
The actress faced a heavy blow when both her sisters and a close friend became seriously ill. Feeling helpless for the first time, she sank into a deep sadness. She once admitted in an interview:
“I fell apart big time. I really had to fight my way back.”
Her struggles continued years later when a slipped disc caused intense pain, triggering another two-year battle with depression. “The pain was so bad,” she said. To find relief, she eventually had four arthroscopic surgeries.
As if the physical and emotional battles weren’t enough, matters of the heart brought their own weight. Romance and work seemed to go hand in hand during her time on the hit Western series “The Big Valley,” where she played Audra Barkley from 1965 to 1969.
It was during this chapter that she crossed paths with actor John Derek, whom she married in 1968. That chapter of her life, filled with both career success and new love, soon came to a painful end.
The marriage ended in sorrow when the couple separated in 1973, years after “The Big Valley” had wrapped up. The split left more than just an emotional scar — it shook the very core of her everyday life.
She revealed that her husband left her for a 15-year-old girl, something she could hardly believe at the time. In her late 20s then, she shared how lost she felt after the separation. A simple trip to the supermarket turned into a confusing moment — she stood there unsure of what to buy because her choices had always revolved around them as a couple.
Doing something just for herself felt strange. While trying to decide on dinner, all she could think about was what he or they might have wanted. “And it was a real wakeup call for me,” she explained. Not long after, Derek, who died in 1998 at age 71, admitted he had been involved with actress Bo Derek.
Speaking candidly in another interview, the star shared, “John and I broke up nine years after we met.” The pain of losing that relationship cut deeper than anyone could see. The celebrity once divulged how overwhelmed she felt:
“I thought, ‘Oh, my God. I think I should die rather than have to go through this.'”
For her, it felt like she had married a dream. As a teenager, she had told her sister she would marry him — and she did. To her, it felt like a gift from above, something that was never meant to fall apart.
“It was horrible. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced,” the actress admitted. Yet, with time, she came to believe that “sometimes when the worst thing happens to you in your life, it’s actually the best thing that ever happened to you.”
That heartbreak, though devastating, quietly opened a new door — one that would change her path forever. The actress is Linda Evans, known by many for her role as Krystle Carrington on the hit soap opera “Dynasty” from 1981 to 1989, believed the breakup played a part in shaping her future.
“If I had stayed married to John, who didn’t want me to work, I could never have done Dynasty,” she said. To her, the experience stood out as something rare and unforgettable — one of the most beautiful moments a person could ever live through.
Her time on “Dynasty” marked a turning point, but her personal journey didn’t stop there. Evans believed that true happiness was the best way to move forward — and she found it after her first marriage ended in 1974.
Though her second marriage to L.A. real estate broker Stan Herman lasted from 1975 to 1979, it too came to an end. The TV star later recalled how she married someone who promised lifelong loyalty but didn’t stay true to his word. Instead of holding onto the pain, she accepted the disappointment as part of life and kept going.
With two marriages behind her and nearing 30, Evans decided it was time to shift her focus. No longer chasing the idea of a perfect man, she made a bold move — she called her agent and said she wanted a real career.
Taking that leap wasn’t easy, especially after spending years away from the spotlight. Her agent questioned the move, “You’ve been away for so long. How are we going to pull this off? Everyone’s forgotten about you.” But Evans didn’t hesitate. She simply had to try.
After “Dynasty” came to an end, Evans had already left Tinseltown behind, choosing a quieter life in rural Washington. With her focus elsewhere, acting no longer seemed like a priority, and soon the scripts stopped arriving.
That changed in 2019, just before the pandemic swept the globe. A touching dark comedy called “Swan Song” reignited something in her, and she agreed to take on the role. It became her first film project in decades, leading her to Sandusky, Ohio, to begin shooting.
At 78, Evans admitted the return wasn’t easy. The years had brought physical pain and emotional lows, and this time she faced the set without the support she once had. Still, she embraced the moment, stepping into the role on her own, eager to reconnect with a world she had once left behind.
Returning to the screen after such a long break gave her more than just a role — it offered a fresh sense of purpose. By 2021, Evans was living peacefully on 70 acres in Washington.
Her time filming “Swan Song” only strengthened a belief she’d held all along — that life never stops surprising. At the time, she saw her comeback as proof that unexpected things can still happen, often when least expected. She said, “Anything is possible.”
That deep sense of possibility stayed with her, shaping how she now chooses to live each day. Though she still takes on the occasional acting role and often speaks about women’s issues, Evans finds true joy in the peaceful life she has built. The star once expressed in an interview:
“I’m very content in my life. Living up here has been a dream come true.”
As for romance, she no longer feels the need for it to complete her. Surrounded by family and close friends, she finds comfort in her independence. With her sister nearby, her nephew next door, and a longtime friend just a block away, Evans feels fulfilled.
She believes happiness doesn’t depend on having a partner — and for her, that realization has been both freeing and joyful. That calm way of living has also shaped how she views growing older — a change she welcomes rather than fears.
Evans, now in her early 80s, sees no appeal in turning back the clock. She explained, “I would not be young again for anything! The wisdom we have is the most valuable thing. I would never do anything that would take back the mind that I have right now.”
Meanwhile, admiration for her beauty and grace continues to pour in. One fan wrote, “Beautiful gorgeous and sweet [sic].” Another praised, “Still as classy and gorgeous as ever.” Someone added, “Classic beauty.” One admirer cheered, “You’re still very, very GORGEOUS!” Another shared, “My favorite role model for years! Beautiful inside and out!”
Evans has lived a life marked by both public success and private trials. She faced heartbreak, physical pain, and personal change with quiet strength.
Her choice to leave Hollywood at its peak led her to a life of calm and purpose. Today, she values wisdom, connection, and peace over fame or romance. Her story is one of growth, grace, and finding joy in simplicity.
