She Was a TV Icon in the ’80s Who Later Endured the Loss of Her Beloved Partner and Fought for Her Life — Her Recent Pics

Her rise to fame came unexpectedly, and she considers herself “fortunate” for the twist of fate that launched her career. Despite her success, she has faced significant challenges, including a life-threatening diagnosis.

This actress became a TV icon after starring in an ’80s hit show, for which she received two Emmy nominations. Her successful career brought her into the life of a fellow actor who tragically passed away.

The actress’s path to stardom, shaped by a mix of talent and unexpected twists, took a significant turn in the late 1970s. While committed to a Broadway production of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” a newspaper strike in New York disrupted plans for out-of-town shows.

The actress pictured on July 23, 1970 | Source: Getty Images

The actress pictured on July 23, 1970 | Source: Getty Images

This fortunate timing allowed her to take on the pilot for “Hart to Hart,” a project that would become a defining chapter in her career. “I will be forever grateful to whichever union caused the strike and allowed me to work on the pilot,” she expressed in an interview once.

The celebrity attends the Sixth Annual People's Choice Awards on January 24, 1980, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

The celebrity attends the Sixth Annual People’s Choice Awards on January 24, 1980, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

From 1979 to 1984, the actress and Robert Wagner charmed audiences as Jennifer and Jonathan Hart, a sophisticated couple solving mysteries against a backdrop of luxury and intrigue.

Robert Wagner and the actress on the set of "Hart to Hart," 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Robert Wagner and the actress on the set of “Hart to Hart,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Their strong working rapport, forged during prior collaborations, brought authenticity to their performances and fueled behind-the-scenes moments of shared laughter that occasionally paused production.

Robert Wagner and the actress on the set of "Hart to Hart," 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Robert Wagner and the actress on the set of “Hart to Hart,” 1980 | Source: Getty Images

Her time on “Hart to Hart” cemented her status as a beloved figure in Hollywood, but her personal life was equally compelling. At just 19, she met Oscar-winning actor William Holden at a dinner party, though their romance didn’t begin until 1972, after years of chance encounters.

William Holden and the actress at a press conference on October 31, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

William Holden and the actress at a press conference on October 31, 1975 | Source: Getty Images

Their relationship was deeply rooted in shared passions. “We both had curiosities about people, places, history, art and wildlife,” she revealed in her memoir “One From the Hart.” Early in their relationship, Holden introduced her to Kenya, a journey that proved transformative.

The actress and William Holden during Bill Holden's African Art Auction on February 1, 1977, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The actress and William Holden during Bill Holden’s African Art Auction on February 1, 1977, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

As the TV star recounted in her book, “Every place we went eventually played some part in my future.” This inaugural trip to Africa reshaped her perspective and priorities, inspiring a lifelong dedication to conservation and exploration.

The actress and William Holden pictured on January 1, 1980, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

The actress and William Holden pictured on January 1, 1980, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Her introduction to Kenya with Holden opened a new chapter in her life, blending romance with a shared passion for wildlife and conservation. Kenya became a sanctuary for their most cherished moments.

William Holden and the actress attend AFI Salute to James Stewart on February 28, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

William Holden and the actress attend AFI Salute to James Stewart on February 28, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

“One of the sides we shared the most was our love of Africa and just being outdoors and sleeping under the sky,” she recounted, describing their adventures in tracking and relocating animals as a real-life story of exploration.

William Holden and the actress pictured at the AFI Salute to James Stewart on February 28, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

William Holden and the actress pictured at the AFI Salute to James Stewart on February 28, 1980 | Source: Getty Images

However, their relationship faced difficult moments. In Los Angeles, the actor experienced a severe health scare after drinking, and her swift intervention likely saved him. Though friends urged her to step away, she chose to remain by his side.

The actress during the 34th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on March 13, 1982, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The actress during the 34th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on March 13, 1982, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

“I opted to stay the course,” the Hollywood native reflected, guided by her unwavering dedication. Their time together, though challenging, brought meaningful milestones. Holden was sober for six years during their nine-year relationship, the longest in his adult life.

The actress during Natural's Press Conference on October 9, 1982, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The actress during Natural’s Press Conference on October 9, 1982, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

For her, those years symbolized the depth of their bond and the perseverance that defined their journey. The challenges and triumphs of their relationship left an indelible mark on her life, but 1981 brought an unbearable loss.

The actress on the set of "L'Amour en Heritage," 1984 | Source: Getty Images

The actress on the set of “L’Amour en Heritage,” 1984 | Source: Getty Images

While filming in Hawaii and enjoying the peak of her career with “Hart to Hart,” she learned that Holden had died after a fall during a drinking binge. For the first time, she wasn’t there to save him. “That was a very, very tragic period,” the veteran star reflected

The actress on the set of "Deceptions," 1985 | Source: Getty Images

The actress on the set of “Deceptions,” 1985 | Source: Getty Images

The profound loss of Holden was a reminder of the remarkable life he lived, both on and off the screen. Known for iconic roles like “Stalag 17,” he also nurtured family bonds, supported wildlife conservation, and even assisted the CIA.

Don Taylor and William Holden on the set of "Stalag 17," 1953 | Source: Getty Images

Don Taylor and William Holden on the set of “Stalag 17,” 1953 | Source: Getty Images

“Fame did not interest him,” his daughter, Virginia Holden Gaines, once shared, highlighting his humble nature. Holden’s partner founded the William Holden Wildlife Foundation to honor his legacy by promoting wildlife conservation and sustainable practices in Kenya.

William Holden photographed on January 1, 1965 | Source: Getty Images

William Holden photographed on January 1, 1965 | Source: Getty Images

The organization, serving 11,000 students annually, rebuilds schools and provides resources to support biodiversity education. Once-struggling villages now thrive, showcasing the impact of this meaningful work.

The actress attends the BAFTA Awards on March 18, 1986 | Source: Getty Images

The actress attends the BAFTA Awards on March 18, 1986 | Source: Getty Images

Honoring Holden’s memory through her conservation work, she also found room for new beginnings in her personal life. At 21, she married actor Gary Lockwood in 1966, but their relationship faced challenges.

The actress and Gary Lockwood during the screening of "2001: A Space Odyssey" on April 3, 1968, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

The actress and Gary Lockwood during the screening of “2001: A Space Odyssey” on April 3, 1968, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Lockwood’s control over finances led to risky investments in coastal land and Malibu properties, both of which suffered due to development restrictions, leaving them with significant debt.

The actress and Gary Lockwood pictured on January 1, 1970, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

The actress and Gary Lockwood pictured on January 1, 1970, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Reflecting on the aftermath of their divorce in 1972, she said, “I was 28 and I had nowhere to live. Luckily I was young enough to bounce back. Not everybody does.”

The actress and Gary Lockwood photographed at a formal event on January 1, 1970, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

The actress and Gary Lockwood photographed at a formal event on January 1, 1970, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

After rebuilding her life, she found love again with French businessman Patrick de la Chesnais. Their marriage, marked by time spent apart as he lived primarily in France, lasted six years before ending in divorce in 1999.

Robert Wagner, Jill St John, the actress and Patrick de la Chesnais at The Night of 200 Stars Charity Gala on December 17, 1994, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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