Once hailed as the epitome of Hollywood beauty, Ali MacGraw was a dazzling star whose face graced countless magazine covers, and whose smile lit up the silver screen. She was the dream girl of the late 1960s and early 1970s, captivating audiences with her charm, elegance, and unforgettable performances. Today, at 86 years old, Ali MacGraw looks quite different from the image many remember; she has changed so much that she’s nearly unrecognizable to those who adored her decades ago. Yet, even with the passage of time, her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most beautiful and talented actresses remains firmly intact.
Recently, Ali MacGraw was spotted walking the streets of New York City, 55 years after her iconic role in the classic film Love Story. On February 12, 2025, she stepped out looking elegant and poised in a sleek black suit, her silver hair swept back gracefully. She carried a simple black handbag and wore stylish kitten heels, showing that while time has changed her appearance, her style and presence remain undeniably striking. It’s incredible to think it’s been more than half a century since MacGraw first captured hearts in films like Goodbye, Columbus (1969) and Love Story (1970), which made her a household name.
Ali MacGraw was already 30 years old when she burst onto the film scene, an age when many actresses might have considered their time in the spotlight limited. But her breakout role in Goodbye, Columbus earned her the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer, signaling the start of a brilliant career. The following year, she starred as Jenny Cavilleri, a working-class college student who falls deeply in love with wealthy Oliver Barrett IV, played by Ryan O’Neal, in the sweeping romance Love Story. This film was a massive box office success and earned critical acclaim, with MacGraw winning another Golden Globe and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in 1971.
Love Story has since become a classic romantic film, remembered fondly for its poignant storytelling and iconic lines, including the famous, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” While often parodied for its melodramatic flair—like the image of MacGraw’s character on her deathbed, still looking perfectly composed—there’s no denying the film’s impact. It catapulted Ali MacGraw into the upper echelons of Hollywood stardom, making her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. In fact, the film’s enduring popularity led Paramount+ to announce in 2021 that they were developing a series based on the movie, proving that Love Story continues to resonate with new audiences.
Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw in 1939, Ali MacGraw’s journey to stardom was unconventional. Unlike many actresses who began their careers as teenagers or young adults, she was 30 when she debuted in Goodbye, Columbus. Reflecting on her surprising rise to fame in a recent New York Times interview, MacGraw shared, “Looking back, it seems so strange that—overnight, at 30—I became a ‘movie star.’ I’m relieved I got out of that often exciting, often terrifying decade alive. I’d been working since I was 14, but I hadn’t gone to school for acting. I was chosen to be in Goodbye, Columbus, and then everything exploded with the stupefying surprise of Love Story—this cost-nothing project nobody expected to be a success.”
After the high of her acting career, MacGraw gradually stepped away from the industry during the 1990s. Over the years, she shifted her focus to other interests, including activism and wellness. Despite leaving the limelight, her influence on film and fashion endures, and fans continue to admire her for the grace and authenticity she brought both on and off screen.
While she may no longer fit the classic Hollywood image of beauty that once defined her, Ali MacGraw’s transformation over the decades is a natural part of aging and life’s journey. At 86, she stands as a testament to the fact that beauty isn’t just skin deep—it’s about the experiences you carry, the resilience you show, and the legacy you leave behind. For those who remember her golden years as a Hollywood icon, and those who admire her today as a graceful elder stateswoman of film, Ali MacGraw remains unforgettable.
Her story reminds us all that life is ever-changing, and that the passage of time brings new dimensions to beauty and success. Whether remembered as the radiant star of Love Story or the elegant woman seen walking the streets of New York today, Ali MacGraw’s place in Hollywood history is secure, inspiring admiration across generations.
