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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
Although she has no children, she cherishes her role as a godmother. She also takes pride in her connection to Holden’s family, noting with joy that his niece and granddaughter have joined the board of the wildlife foundation created in his honor.
The actress attends the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall/Winter show on June 25, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
The actress attends the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall/Winte show on June 25, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
The memoir explores the profound impact of her mother’s death and her lung cancer diagnosis afterward. “The book was motivated by two life changing events,” she explained, referring to those transformative experiences.
The actress attends the Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter show on June 26, 2024, in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
While uncertain about smoking’s role in her diagnosis, she noted her stepsister faced the same condition despite never smoking. Writing the book, the star revealed that it offered a therapeutic chance to revisit her past and process the pivotal events that shaped her.
“It is so great to see Ms. Powers looking so beautiful these days!” one shared. Another wrote, “You are so marvelous and beautiful.” A longtime admirer added, “You’re still gorgeous. I’m still watching my recorded “Hart to Hart” shows! Will always be one of my all time favorite shows.” One fan even asked, “How is it possible that you do not age? Beautiful as ever!”
Through a life of achievements and challenges, Stefanie Powers remains a timeless icon, cherished for her elegance and celebrated for her legacy. Her story continues to inspire fans across generations.
