Bo Derek Stole a Man 30 Years Her Senior From an Actress She Worshipped — They Were Married for 22 Years

Currently, Bo Derek enjoys a happy marriage, but she once disrupted the relationship of an actress she admired by taking away her husband. Although Bo ended up marrying the man and they spent 22 years together, she still feels remorse for her actions.

Bo Derek, an American actress and model, has had a long-standing career in the film industry. Her rise to fame began in 1979 when she starred in the romantic comedy ’10.’

Following her breakthrough performance, Bo landed roles in several other films, including ‘Bolero,’ ‘Tarzan, the Ape Man,’ and ‘Ghosts Can’t Do It,’ among others.

Even though Bo became widely recognized in 1979, her acting journey began earlier. She was cast in the film ‘Fantasies’ at the age of 16, a project directed by John Derek, who would eventually become her first husband. In a conversation with Interview Magazine, she recounted how her audition for the movie led to meeting John.

Bo shared that her agent called her to inform her about an upcoming interview for the role. She then excitedly told her mother, who was curious, that she would be meeting John Derek for the audition.

Her mother was thrilled and couldn’t contain her excitement about how attractive the director was. A few days later, Bo confirmed her mother’s assessment when she first encountered John. She recalled, ‘And when I walked in and met him in the office, I thought, ‘Oh, Mom was right. He is so handsome.’

John expressed his wish to cast her in ‘Fantasies,’ but Bo could only accept if it meant she would leave school and go to Greece for filming.

Without any hesitation, Bo agreed to John’s terms. Her mother supported the decision and accompanied her as a chaperone to the picturesque island of Mykonos.

Unexpectedly, Mykonos proved to be significant for both Bo and John, as they left not only with a completed film but also with a controversial romance.

A Romance Blossoms Abroad

When Bo and John first met, he was married to veteran actress Linda Evans and was also 30 years older than Bo. Despite the age difference and John’s existing marriage, Bo found herself falling for him.

In her discussion with Interview Magazine, Bo recounted how their romance flourished in Mykonos, even though her mother was present, which added an awkward dimension to their relationship.

She described their connection as incredible, noting that John had an appreciation for strong women, and she considered herself one, despite her youth.

During their time in Mykonos, Bo recognized that their affection was mutual, contrary to what many might have believed. Their love deepened as the days went by, and once filming concluded, they were ready to share their relationship with the world.

After the public’s scrutiny regarding Bo’s first marriage, she never expected to experience love again.

However, John’s union with Evans was sacrificed to allow their love to thrive. The couple divorced, paving the way for Bo and John’s relationship to develop.

The couple stayed in Europe because returning to the U.S. would expose them to legal issues, as their relationship was illegal due to Bo being a minor at the time, risking John with serious charges.

Unwilling to take any chances, Bo chose to leave high school and opted to stay with John in Europe, where they enjoyed numerous adventures together.

During their travels, Bo had the opportunity to meet Ursula Andress, John’s second wife and close friend, in Switzerland. Their European journey came to a close when Bo turned 18, after which they returned to California and wed in 1976.

Although it seemed that Bo and John had a blissful relationship, not everyone supported their union. Bo’s parents were quite discontent with her choice, yet she remained committed to John until he passed away.

While many saw them as soulmates, Bo harbored doubts, believing that marrying John was a mistake despite the happiness they shared.

Their marriage lasted until John’s death in 1998, which occurred when he was 71 years old.

John, an actor and director credited with significantly advancing Bo’s career, struggled with heart issues. He was discovered unresponsive at his residence in Santa Ynez Valley one Wednesday afternoon and underwent extensive heart surgery.

He passed away at 12:45 PM that Friday at Marian Medical Center, surrounded by family, according to hospital representative Stephanie Grogan.

Carrying the Weight of Regret

Years after John’s passing, Bo continues to grapple with the guilt of having disrupted Evans’ marriage. In a 2016 interview with Interview Magazine, she expressed that stealing another woman’s husband was one of the worst decisions she ever made, stating she couldn’t forgive herself.

Bo’s action weighed heavily on her conscience, especially since Evans, whom she admired greatly, had always treated her kindly. This guilt made every encounter with Evans difficult for Bo.

Interestingly, Evans later shared that divorcing John ultimately benefited her. Initially, it was an incredibly painful experience, but eventually, it became a turning point.

Evans noted that if she had stayed married to John, who discouraged her from pursuing a career, she might never have starred in ‘Dynasty’ and experienced the success that followed. Meanwhile, despite Bo’s efforts to move forward, she will always be haunted by the remorse of having ended a beautiful marriage. She stated, ‘I might move on and ensure I don’t repeat the same mistakes, but you have to find a way to move on. Looking back, I consider that period in my life a grave mistake.’

Bo Discovers Love Again

After facing the fallout from her 22-year marriage, Bo never anticipated finding love again. However, life took an unexpected turn, and now she is joyfully married to actor John Corbett.

The couple began their relationship in 2002, initially without any thoughts of marriage. Bo described their connection as one of ‘attraction and comfort.’ Over time, however, their bond deepened.

John’s humor made Bo smile, and as the years passed, her feelings for him intensified. After dating for two decades, they finally announced their marriage in 2020, with John stating, ‘Around Christmas time we got married. Bo and I got married.’

Bo feels content in her new marriage, despite not having children, a choice she consciously made. She believes that children deserve two dedicated parents, and her own life has been unconventional.

Nonetheless, Bo remains a strong and inspiring woman, continuing to motivate many others around the globe.