How This ’70s Beauty Icon Found a New Purpose After Fame Almost Ruined Her Life – Photos & Story
As a TV personality in the 1970s, this actress enthralled millions of people, but she also struggled greatly on a personal and professional level, dealing with health problems, broken relationships, and burnouts. She discovered serenity, meaning, and a new calling decades later. This is her amazing adventure.
In the 1970s, Hollywood was a magnet for stars who seemed to have it all—beauty, talent, and the adoration of millions. Among them was one unforgettable celebrity who captivated hearts and defined an era with her grace and undeniable charisma. Her rise to fame was as inspiring as it was humble, marked by a passion for her craft and a rare, magnetic talent.
Her breakout moment came with the iconic role of Jaime Sommers in The Bionic Woman. Portraying a tennis player who, after a life-changing accident, receives bionic implants and becomes a powerful crime-fighting hero, she made an indelible mark on the screen. Her portrayal not only made her a household name but also a symbol of strength and resilience, cementing her place in Hollywood history.
The success of The Bionic Woman not only catapulted the actress to fame but also made her an enduring symbol of grace and strength. The show’s cultural impact resonated deeply, and in 2018, she reflected on its legacy, revealing how it marked a shift in the portrayal of women in the media. “Anybody over the age of 34 still tells me how I was such a big part of their childhood,” she shared, a testament to the lasting influence her role had on generations of viewers.
The response from fans was overwhelming. One commenter reminisced, “Whoa! My childhood hero!!” while another gushed, “Very lovely!” with heart emojis.
However, behind the scenes, life was far from glamorous. Despite her fame, the actress found herself emotionally drained by the time The Bionic Woman ended in 1978. The relentless pace of filming, coupled with the emotional toll of her character’s detachment, mirrored her own struggles. She admitted, “How Jaime Sommers was feeling — not like a woman but like a kind of robot — was the way I was feeling about the series.”
She even took creative control, contributing to the show’s ending. But the pressures of fame were relentless, and the long 16-hour workdays, coupled with tensions between studios, left her emotionally and physically exhausted. “I felt betrayed, friendless,” she confessed, revealing that she turned to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the overwhelming stress.
Eventually, she recognized the need for change. “I was aware that I needed to change; I needed to relax more with people and with myself,” she said, acknowledging the importance of finding balance and peace amidst the chaos of stardom.
As the pressures of fame mounted, her reputation began to suffer. Colleagues started to label her as demanding and difficult to work with. During the filming of CBS’s The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel, she reportedly grew frustrated on set, insisting that crew members clear away sticks and stones from her path after she had fallen several times. Defenders of the actress pointed out that Hollywood’s unrelenting pressure played a significant role in her behavior. Reflecting on her struggles, she once confided, “No one in this business has heard of the Golden Rule, even though I was raised by it. ‘You ignored the movie business!’ I once said to God.”
Her career woes were only exacerbated by a series of health challenges. A car accident left her with permanent scars on her lip and scalp, and severe side effects from medication nearly caused her to lose her hair. As if that weren’t enough, she also battled chronic urticaria, a condition that caused painful welts and body swelling. “It would catch fire. It would itch uncontrollably. You might simply lose your mind over it,” she recalled. While treatments like steroids and antihistamines provided temporary relief, they came with their own set of drawbacks. For eight long months, she endured the physical and emotional toll of the illness, desperate for a solution.
Her personal life mirrored the chaos of her career. Her first marriage to music publisher Allan Rider ended after just two years, followed by a second failed marriage to actor Michael Brandon after three years. Her third marriage, this time to stuntman Henry Kingi, began with a romantic Lake Tahoe ceremony and a traditional Paiute Indian blessing. However, this union, too, faltered. A close friend described their relationship as “like living with a roller coaster,” unstable and tumultuous, despite the initial romance.
After recognizing that she needed to rebuild her life, both emotionally and physically, she withdrew into herself and began focusing on personal growth. She turned to spirituality for solace, saying, “I went back to reading the Bible.” This renewed faith became a cornerstone of her healing, helping her find balance and clarity in a life that had been weighed down by pressure and exhaustion.
She explained, “God is expressed in every commitment you make, whether it be to your work or anything else. You have to do it with faith and love.” By reconnecting with her spiritual beliefs, she was able to release the toxic pressures that had once dominated her life. The Emmy-winning actress found peace through spirituality, allowing her to focus on healing and moving forward.
As she embraced her path to wellness, she also adopted a holistic approach to health. Guided by lessons she had learned during her youth, she made the decision to pursue non-surgical treatments after facing serious health challenges, including ulcers and gallbladder issues. Her determination to heal naturally reflected her commitment to nurturing both body and spirit in her quest for a healthier, more balanced life.
Her commitment to balance and natural healing was deeply influenced by the formative experiences of her early life. Over time, she became passionate about sharing these healing practices with others. Through retreats and workshops like her Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart programs, she helped guide individuals toward inner peace and emotional well-being.
After years of focusing on her health and personal growth, the former Hollywood star felt a pull to return to the industry. In 2018, she made her comeback with roles in Samson and Grey’s Anatomy. Reflecting on her decision to re-enter the entertainment world, she shared, “I’m kind of being guided to come back.” As she put it, “The heart wants what the heart wants.” Her return marked a new chapter, one where she combined her renewed sense of self with her undeniable talent, reconnecting with her passion for acting while staying grounded in her spiritual journey.
The woman behind this remarkable journey is the 75-year-old Lindsay Wagner, whose rise to stardom in The Bionic Woman captured the hearts of an entire generation. Now in her seventies, Wagner has shifted her focus to living a life of wellness, dedicating herself to helping others achieve balance and inner peace. Through her experiences and teachings, she continues to inspire others to live a life that prioritizes both physical and emotional health.
Lindsay Wagner attributes her timeless beauty and vitality to living a holistic lifestyle and staying deeply connected to her spirituality. Her commitment to wellness and inner peace has allowed her to age gracefully. One of her social media followers recently commented on one of her latest Instagram photos, “Wow, you’re still so beautiful xxx,” a testament to the lasting impact of her radiant presence.
Another admirer captured Lindsay Wagner’s ageless beauty perfectly, saying, “😍😍Lindsay ahhhh eternal child in love, the most beautiful woman on planet.”
Wagner’s journey from Hollywood’s golden girl to a passionate advocate for wellness showcases her resilience and self-discovery. Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to redefine success and embrace true happiness. Her continued evolution inspires countless individuals to live more authentically and find peace within themselves.
