How a Former ’70s Beauty Icon Rediscovered Her True Purpose After Struggling with Fame – Photos & Story

A 1970s actress, once a beloved TV star, faced significant personal and professional challenges, including burnout, health problems, and failed relationships. After many years, she found peace, purpose, and a new direction in life. This is the story of her remarkable journey.

In the 1970s, Hollywood’s glamour produced stars who appeared to have everything — beauty, talent, and widespread admiration. One such star won the hearts of millions with her grace and charisma, becoming an iconic figure of the time.

Her path to stardom started humbly, driven by ambition and remarkable talent. Her big break came when she landed the role of Jaime Sommers in The Bionic Woman, a tennis pro who transforms into a crime-fighting hero after receiving bionic implants.

The series became a cultural phenomenon, turning her into a household name and a symbol of strength and grace. In 2018, she reflected, “It was the beginning of changing the image of women in the media. Anybody over the age of 34 still tells me how I was such a big part of their childhood.” Fans continue to admire her, with one commenting on an Instagram throwback post, “Wow! My childhood hero!!” and another saying, “Absolutely Beautiful!!😍😍😍.”

Despite the show’s success, her personal life was far from glamorous. By the time The Bionic Woman ended in 1978, she was completely burnt out. Reflecting on her experience, she shared that her character’s emotional detachment mirrored her own struggles. 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 the way I was feeling about the series.”

The pressures of fame took a severe toll on her. Working 16-hour days left her both physically and emotionally exhausted, while conflicts between studios added to her stress. The actress admitted to turning to alcohol and drugs to cope, saying, “I felt betrayed, friendless… I knew I had to make some changes; I had to become more relaxed about people and within myself.”

Her reputation began to suffer as she was labeled difficult and demanding by colleagues. While filming CBS’s The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel, she reportedly became petulant on set, requesting crew members to clear stones and sticks from her path after tripping several times.

Supporters argued that much of her behavior was a result of the relentless pressure from Hollywood executives. She later reflected, saying, “I was raised by the Golden Rule, but no one in this business has heard of it. At one point, I found myself talking to God, yelling, ‘You forgot the movie industry!'”

Her struggles were compounded by a series of health issues. The Hollywood star faced severe side effects from medication that almost caused her to lose her hair, and a car accident left her with scars on her lip and scalp. Later, she developed chronic urticaria, a condition that caused painful welts and swelling across her body. “It would burn. It would itch like crazy. It’s something that could just make you go insane,” she recalled.

Treatments like steroids and antihistamines provided temporary relief but came with their own side effects. After enduring eight months of suffering, she became desperate for a cure.

Her personal life was equally turbulent. Her first marriage to music publisher Allan Rider lasted only two years, and her second marriage to actor Michael Brandon ended after three years. She later married stuntman Henry Kingi in a ceremony at Lake Tahoe, where they recited a Paiute Indian blessing.

Despite their romantic beginnings, the marriage ended in divorce. Friends described their relationship as volatile, with one saying, “It was like living with a roller coaster.”

Emotionally and physically drained, she realized the need to rebuild and began focusing on personal growth. “I went back to reading the Bible,” she revealed, crediting her renewed faith with helping her find balance and overcome her fears.

“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. Embracing spirituality helped the Emmy award-winning actress release the toxic pressures of her past life, allowing her to focus on healing.

Her journey toward wellness didn’t stop there. Inspired by teachings she encountered as a teenager, she adopted a holistic approach to health. After suffering from severe ulcers and gallbladder issues, she managed to avoid surgery by relying on alternative treatments.

These early experiences had a lasting impact, shaping her dedication to balance and natural healing. She later shared these practices with others through workshops and retreats, including her Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart events.

After years of prioritizing her well-being, the former Hollywood star felt a pull to return to the industry. In 2018, she made her comeback, appearing in the film Samson and taking on 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, as they say.”

The woman behind this story is none other than Lindsay Wagner, 75, whose rise to fame as The Bionic Woman captivated a generation. Now in her seventies, Wagner has dedicated her life to wellness, teaching others how to find peace and balance in their lives.