This ’70s Beauty Icon’s Shocking Transformation Will Leave You Speechless
|This 1970s actress captivated millions as a TV star but faced immense personal and professional struggles, from burnout to health issues and failed relationships. Decades later, she found peace, purpose, and a new calling. Here’s her incredible journey.
The 1970s was a time when Hollywood created stars who seemed to have everything—beauty, talent, and the love of millions. One of these stars won hearts with her elegance and charm, becoming an icon of her time.
Her journey to fame started humbly, with ambition and talent. She got her big break when she landed a role on “The Bionic Woman,” playing Jaime Sommers, a tennis pro who becomes a crime-fighting hero after receiving bionic implants.
The series was a huge hit, making her a household name and a symbol of strength and grace. In 2018, she reflected on how the show changed how women were seen in the media, saying, “Anybody over the age of 34 still tells me how I was such a big part of their childhood.”
Despite the show’s success, her life behind the scenes was anything but glamorous. By the time “The Bionic Woman” ended in 1978, she was completely burnt out. She admitted that her character’s emotional detachment mirrored her own struggles. In fact, she even wrote the show’s final episode, saying, “How Jaime Sommers was feeling—not like a woman, but like a kind of robot—was how I was feeling about the series.”
The pressures of fame took a toll. She worked long hours, which left her both physically and emotionally drained. On top of that, she faced conflicts with studios. She confessed to turning to alcohol and drugs to cope, adding, “I felt betrayed, friendless. […] I knew I had to make some changes.”
Her reputation began to suffer as she was seen as difficult to work with. While filming CBS’s “The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel,” she reportedly became upset on set, asking crew members to clear her path after tripping several times.
Many defended her, saying much of her behavior came from the pressure put on her by Hollywood executives. She later shared that she once cried out to God, “You forgot the movie industry!”
Adding to her struggles were serious health issues. She experienced painful side effects from medication that nearly caused her to lose her hair, and a car accident left her with scars on her lip and scalp. Later, she suffered from chronic urticaria, which caused painful welts and swelling. She described the condition as unbearable, saying, “It would burn. It would itch like crazy. It’s something that could just make you go insane.”
Despite treatments offering temporary relief, she suffered for eight months before finally seeking other solutions.
Her personal life was also difficult. Her first marriage to music publisher Allan Rider lasted only two years. Her second marriage to actor Michael Brandon ended after three years. Her third marriage was to stuntman Henry Kingi, and the couple had a ceremony in Lake Tahoe, where they recited a Paiute Indian blessing.
Sadly, that marriage also ended in divorce. Their relationship was described as volatile, with one friend saying, “It was like living with a roller coaster.”
Emotionally and physically worn out, she decided to focus on her personal growth. “I went back to reading the Bible,” she shared. Her renewed faith helped her find balance and gave her the strength to overcome her fears.
She credited her spirituality for helping her let go of the toxic demands of her past life and focus on healing. “Every commitment you make, to your career or to anything else, is an expression of God. You must do it with love and faith,” she explained.
Her journey toward wellness didn’t stop there. She took a holistic approach to health, inspired by teachings from her teenage years. After dealing with ulcers and gallbladder problems, she avoided surgery by using alternative methods.
These experiences left a lasting impact, shaping her commitment to balance and natural healing. She later shared her knowledge with others through workshops and retreats, such as her Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart events.
After years of focusing on her well-being, the former Hollywood star felt drawn back to acting. In 2018, she appeared in the film “Samson” and also had a role in “Grey’s Anatomy.” Reflecting on her return, she said, “I’m kind of being guided to come back. The heart wants what the heart wants.”
The actress behind this story is Lindsay Wagner, now 75, whose rise to fame in “The Bionic Woman” won over a generation of fans. Now in her sixties, Wagner dedicates her life to wellness, helping others find peace and balance in their own lives.
She attributes her lasting beauty and energy to her holistic lifestyle and spiritual practices. Fans continue to admire her, with one person commenting on her Instagram, “Lindsay, wow, you’re still so beautiful.” Another posted, “Lindsay, ahhhh, eternal child in love, the most beautiful woman on the planet.”
Lindsay Wagner’s journey from Hollywood icon to wellness advocate shows her resilience and dedication to self-discovery. Her story continues to inspire, proving that it’s never too late to find new purpose and happiness.