The Five Life Lessons Ali MacGraw Learned After Leaving Hollywood For A 'Tiny' Santa Fe Cottage At 85

Elizabeth Alice MacGraw, the iconic star of *Love Story* and a symbol of 1970s cool, has recently turned 86, and her life today is a masterclass in aging gracefully and purposefully. Having long stepped away from the relentless spotlight of Hollywood, MacGraw now resides in a quiet, "tiny" cottage in the village of Tesuque, New Mexico, where she has cultivated a life centered on authenticity, sobriety, and activism. Her reflections, especially in recent interviews from 2024 and 2025, offer a candid look back at the highs of her career, the turbulent marriage to Steve McQueen, and the profound wisdom she has gained in her ninth decade. The Hollywood legend's journey from a Golden Globe-winning actress to a dedicated animal rights activist and ambassador for the IBU Movement is a testament to reinvention. At 85, Ali MacGraw continues to inspire with her natural approach to aging, rejecting the pressures of Tinseltown and embracing a more meaningful existence far from the celebrity machine that once defined her. Her current focus is on her personal peace, her advocacy work, and cherishing the quiet solitude of the American Southwest.

Ali MacGraw: Complete Biography and Profile

Elizabeth Alice MacGraw is an American actress, model, author, and activist best known for her roles in the landmark films of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her career, though relatively short-lived at its peak, left an indelible mark on cinematic history and pop culture.

• Full Name: Elizabeth Alice MacGraw
• Date of Birth: April 1, 1939
• Age (as of December 2025): 86
• Place of Birth: Pound Ridge, New York, U.S.
• Current Residence: Tesuque, New Mexico (a small village north of Santa Fe)
• Occupation: Actress, Model, Author, Animal Rights Activist, Ambassador for the IBU Movement
• Notable Spouses:
  • Robin Hoen (m. 1960; div. 1962)
  • Robert Evans (m. 1969; div. 1972)
  • Steve McQueen (m. 1973; div. 1978)
• Children: Josh Evans (with Robert Evans)

Key Filmography and Awards

• Goodbye, Columbus (1969): Won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer.
• Love Story (1970): Her most famous role as Jenny Cavilleri. She won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and received an Academy Award nomination.
• The Getaway (1972): Co-starred with future husband Steve McQueen.
• Convoy (1978)
• The Winds of War (1983) (TV Miniseries)
• Other Awards: Won the Golden Globe Henrietta Award (World Film Favorites) in 1972.

Lesson 1: Trading the Hollywood Hype for a Humble Home

One of the most defining decisions of Ali MacGraw's later life was her move to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the 1990s. She had lost a significant amount of money and felt the overwhelming need to escape the superficiality of Los Angeles. She settled in a small, "tiny village north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, called Tesuque," where she bought a cottage after helping a friend design a house in the area.

This move was not just a change of scenery; it was a fundamental shift in values. MacGraw, who was once one of the most photographed women in the world, now lives a quiet life focused on inner peace and the natural beauty of the Southwest. She has openly discussed the relief of leaving the constant pressure to maintain a certain image, embracing a natural art of aging that rejects the obsession with youth.

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Her current home, far from the Malibu mansions she once knew, is a sanctuary. It reflects her passion for design, incorporating a global, eclectic style, and serves as a base for her continued work as an ambassador for the IBU Movement, which supports women artisans worldwide.

Lesson 2: The Candid Truth About the Steve McQueen Marriage

Decades after their tumultuous relationship, Ali MacGraw, at 85, has been remarkably candid about her marriage to "The King of Cool," Steve McQueen, whom she met on the set of *The Getaway*. She famously left her then-husband, powerful Paramount studio head Robert Evans, for McQueen, a decision that essentially derailed her own A-list acting career.

In recent reflections, MacGraw has discussed the "horrors" and "cruel things" that defined their time together, painting a picture of a controlling and volatile relationship. Despite the pain, she has also confessed that McQueen was the "love of her life," highlighting the complex, passionate, and ultimately destructive nature of their bond. This willingness to expose the dark side of a legendary Hollywood romance, even in her mid-eighties, serves as a powerful lesson in personal honesty and healing.

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The legacy of this relationship remains a central part of the Ali MacGraw story, but her current openness helps reframe the narrative from one of tragedy to one of survival and self-discovery. She has used her experiences to speak to others about navigating life's most challenging relationships.

Lesson 3: Sobriety and the Power of Self-Acceptance

A crucial part of Ali MacGraw's journey to peace in Santa Fe was achieving and maintaining sobriety. She has spoken openly with figures like Oprah Winfrey about her struggles with addiction and the freedom she found in recovery. Her willingness to share this deeply personal battle has made her an inspiration to many, offering a powerful counter-narrative to the glossy, often destructive lifestyle of classic Hollywood.

MacGraw’s philosophy on aging is also deeply intertwined with this self-acceptance. She has stated that unlike many she has met, she is not "consumed by fear of aging." Instead, she embraces the natural process, viewing it as an opportunity for grace and wisdom rather than a problem to be fixed. This refreshing perspective is a powerful statement in an industry that often demands eternal youth.

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By living authentically, MacGraw demonstrates that true beauty comes from within and that the later years of life can be the most fulfilling, provided one does the necessary work of self-care and personal growth.

Lesson 4: A Lasting Legacy Beyond 'Love Story'

While the line "Love means never having to say you’re sorry" from *Love Story* (1970) remains her most famous quote, MacGraw’s legacy extends far beyond the emotional college romance that made her an overnight sensation.

At 85, she is a passionate animal rights activist. Her dedication to animal welfare is a significant focus of her current life in New Mexico, providing her with a purpose that transcends her former career. She also continues to champion global artisans through her work with the IBU Movement, supporting fair trade and women's economic empowerment.

Furthermore, MacGraw has channeled her artistic sensibilities into design and writing. Her autobiography, *Moving Pictures*, offered an honest look at her life, further solidifying her status as an icon who values truth over image. Her work today shows that a career doesn't end when the cameras stop rolling; it simply shifts to a new, perhaps more meaningful, form of contribution.

Lesson 5: Embracing the Quiet Life in the Southwest

MacGraw's decision to settle in Tesuque, New Mexico, was a deliberate choice to prioritize peace and privacy. The move allowed her to escape the financial and emotional fallout of her Hollywood years and create a stable, grounded existence.

Her daily life in Santa Fe is simple, focusing on the things that bring her joy: her beloved animals, her garden, and her advocacy work. While she still makes occasional public appearances, such as stepping out in New York City in February (at 85) looking fantastic in a sleek black suit, her core existence is centered on her cottage and the community around her.

This final lesson from Ali MacGraw is perhaps the most profound: that happiness is not found in the spotlight, but in the quiet moments of an authentic life. She has proven that it is possible to walk away from immense fame and find a deeper, more sustainable kind of fulfillment by simply being herself—an icon who is perfectly content to be an 86-year-old woman living gracefully in the New Mexico desert.