76-year-old Candice Bergen, says she is happy being ‘fat’ because she ‘lives to eat’
|Candice Bergen is a television icon. With a prolific career spanning multiple shows and movies, she has established a formidable reputation in the entertainment industry.
When faced with criticism, she stands her ground, proving that she lives life on her own terms.
Bergen began her career as a model, gracing the pages of magazines like Vogue. Her career trajectory has been impressive, leading her to become a household name, particularly with her role in “Murphy Brown,” which earned her five Emmy Awards.
However, landing the iconic role of Murphy Brown wasn’t without its challenges. In an interview, Bergen revealed that the role was initially intended for a younger actress, Heather Locklear. Yet, her audition caught the eye of writer and producer Diane English, who insisted Bergen was perfect for the part.
The show became a huge success, and women nationwide admired her portrayal of a reporter. Bergen reminisces, “That character gave me permission to be my brattiest, bawdiest self.”
She received seven Emmy nominations for the role, winning five. After her fifth win, she requested not to be considered for another Emmy. This decision stemmed from a shift in her priorities, as she chose to live life differently. In her memoir “A Fine Romance,” she candidly discussed how she embraced her love for food, saying she didn’t mind if she was ‘fat.’
In her book, Bergen openly talked about her relationship with food, revealing that she had gained about 30 pounds over the last 15 years but didn’t care.
She stated plainly, “Let me just come right out and say it: I am fat. I live to eat. None of this ‘eats to live’ stuff for me.”
She also shared anecdotes about enjoying decadent meals at dinner parties with her husband, often receiving smug looks from other guests but paying no mind to them. She wrote, “I am a champion eater. No carb is safe — no fat, either.”
Bergen further discussed how women in their 50s often get caught up trying to maintain their youth, forgetting to enjoy their present selves. She chose not to chase after youthful looks or a slim figure and is happy with her decision.
While her friends are dieting, Bergen focuses on enjoying her food. She wrote, “dieting is out of my purview. I crave cookies, all the things that dilate my pupils.”
She also expressed disdain for practices like vomiting to maintain weight, stating firmly that she could never do such a thing.
“They maintain their weight by routinely vomiting after major meals consisting of a slice of steak or a filet of fish. I am incapable of this,” she wrote.
Now in the next phase of her life, Bergen is a mother and grandmother. Her first marriage to French director Louis Malle lasted 15 years until his death from cancer in 1995. They had a daughter, Chloe Malle.
Bergen married Marshall Rose in the 2000s, and their marriage continues to thrive.
She is also a proud grandmother to her daughter’s children. Her grandson, Arthur Louis Albert, was born in 2020, followed by her granddaughter, Alice Malle Albert, in April 2022.
The actress has publicly expressed her joy for her daughter becoming a mother, saying, “She is the love of my life.”
Bergen shares delightful moments from her life on social media, showing her happiness as a grandmother to two toddlers.