This ’60s Beauty Icon Received a Liver Transplant While Battling Illness – Her Photos & Story

She charmed America as a teen star, shared the screen with Elvis Presley, and later faced a life-threatening health battle with unwavering strength. Discover the inspiring journey of this beloved actress and see her transformation over the years.

The young star started tap dancing at three, modeled as a child, and appeared in TV shows like “Captain Midnight” and “Annie Oakley” by the mid-1950s. She then rose to fame as Mary Stone, the wholesome daughter on the beloved sitcom “The Donna Reed Show” in 1958.

She often played bubbly, bikini-clad leads in lighthearted ’60s movies such as “Ride the Wild Surf” and three Presley films — “Girl Happy,” “Spinout,” and “Clambake.”

The star showcased her comedic chops in shows like “One Day at a Time” and later cemented her status as a fan favorite playing Christine Armstrong, Craig T. Nelson’s partner, in the hit sitcom “Coach.” The role brought her eight seasons of success and two Emmy nominations.

In the end, she found her real-life leading man, Mike Farrell. By the early ’90s, the actress shared a cozy five-bedroom home in Sherman Oaks, California, with Farrell, the former “M*A*S*H” star turned human-rights activist.

Their story began in 1970 when the dark-haired actress guest-starred on “The Interns,” a short-lived series starring Farrell. However, it wasn’t until 12 years later, at a CBS affiliates convention, that their paths truly converged.

By then, both had gone through divorces — Farrell from his 17-year marriage to actress Judy Farrell and the “Captain Midnight” star from Adler. A polite greeting turned into coffee, which eventually led to deeper conversations.

Farrell then invited his future wife to view photographs and footage from a humanitarian trip to Central America. “I had just gotten back from a tour of refugee camps [in Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua], and I was reeling from the terribly inhuman treatment I had seen,” he recalled.

The couple then tied the knot in a ceremony at the Pacific Palisades home of the ’60s beauty icon’s aunt, who later played her mother on “Coach.” However, their relationship was not without its challenges.

Farrell’s children, Mike and Erin, struggled with their parents’ divorce and the introduction of a new stepmother. “The divorce was very hard on the kids,” the actress reflected. “It took a lot of love, patience, courage, and strength, but now they have two solid homes, which is what we all wanted.”

The couple also faced darker times as close friends and family battled illness. The actress’s mentor and dear friend Donna Reed, who played her mother on “The Donna Reed Show,” was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Reed’s passing in 1986 left the dark-haired star heartbroken. Around the same time, her own mother, Elsa, began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The actress and her sister, Smokey, then faced the emotional challenge of placing their mother in a care facility.

Bill Fagerbakke, who played the dim-witted but lovable Dauber Dybinski, echoed the sentiment, though with humor. “I told [her] once that it seems they never argue, but she claimed they have ferocious fights. I think she’s lying. Their niceness is amazing,” he said.

By 1994, their love was tested once more as the actress faced a serious injury after falling through the floor joists of her under-construction home, breaking all the ribs on the left side of her body. While being treated in the emergency room, doctors recommended a follow-up visit as a precaution.

The star suffered a sudden esophageal bleed — an episode so severe she was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. “I was terribly ill,” she later recalled. Doctors confirmed the bleeding was linked to progressive liver failure, and a renowned hepatologist explained that only a liver transplant could save her life.

Then, after waiting over a year, her pager finally went off on October 23, 2000 — it was time. “We have your liver,” Dr. Vierling told her. The transplant was a success, and by 2003, the Hollywood actress reflected on how the experience had transformed her.

She revealed that she wouldn’t wish the experience on anyone but was so blessed to have Farrell. She credited her husband for being her rock during the ordeal, saying, “I was so very ill for such a long time, and we didn’t know what was wrong.”

She emerged from the life-threatening ordeal with a new perspective, cherishing every moment of life and the love she shared with her devoted partner.

So, who is this remarkable woman who rose from teen stardom, shared the screen with Presley, overcame heartbreaking personal struggles, and survived a life-threatening health crisis?

A third shared, “She’s an angel to me!” and a fourth wrote, “I always thought she was so pretty.” Another person commented, “​​I wonder if she had a good life,” and a fifth shared, “I had a crush on her !!!” Continue reading to see the actress’s transformation over the years.

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Shelley Fabares built a career that spanned decades, starred alongside Hollywood legends, and overcame life-threatening challenges. Her story is one of reinvention, love, and perseverance — a testament to the strength behind her enduring success.