Ali MacGraw Left Hollywood to Live In ‘Tiny’ Village Cottage in Mountains: Actress Is Volunteer Now

• In 2024, Ali MacGraw celebrated a significant milestone in her life after being spotted showing off her gray hair the year before.
• She became the face of a clothing brand that supports local women in the town where she resides, in a “tiny” cottage nestled in the mountains.
• Despite experiencing three heartbreaks in her lifetime, MacGraw finds joy and fulfillment as a devoted mother to her child and a loving grandmother.

Ali MacGraw, renowned for her iconic performances in 1970s classics such as “Love Story” and “The Getaway,” marked another year on April 1, 2024. As per a previous article, the actress celebrated her 76th birthday on the same date in 2015.

This implies that in 2024, on her birthday, MacGraw was inching closer to 90, having turned 85! Despite her celebrity status, the actress, aged 84 at the time, attempted to blend in as an ordinary citizen on the evening of June 15, 2023, by enjoying a dinner outing with a few companions.

The cherished Hollywood actress paid a visit to Casa Chimayo, a Mexican restaurant. The establishment eagerly welcomed her and her group of friends, capturing a photo that was later posted on its Facebook account.

In the image, a fully silver-haired MacGraw smiled radiantly as she posed with her friends. The “Just Tell Me What You Want” actress sported a relaxed navy long-sleeved shirt paired with beige pants, complemented by striking metallic earrings that accentuated her lovely makeup-free face.

Although the timeless beauty has embraced her natural aging process, she hasn’t always had the same carefree attitude towards it as some women do. In a 2019 interview, MacGraw revealed her struggles with the concept of aging. She recounted a moment towards the end of the previous year when she grappled with the idea of turning 80:

“In November, I started to wake up in the middle of the night thinking, ‘Oh my God, the rest of the journey is so short compared to the one behind me. I’m going to be 80.’ I’d never felt like that before.”

Fortunately, when the star opened up about feeling sad and scared, unlike her usual self, describing it as a “doomsday fear,” her therapist was there to offer support. The professional advised her to focus on the present moment, reminding her that she is alive today and that any concerns about the future are merely stories created in her mind.

For three months, the actress, who had a romantic history with Ryan O’Neal and toured with him, grappled with the looming milestone of turning 80. During this time, she reflected on the words of her friend Gloria Steinem, who at their age once responded to a compliment about her appearance by saying, “This is what 40 looks like.” MacGraw’s revised interpretation of this sentiment became:

“This is what 80 looks like.”

MacGraw sensed that she had reached an age where she became increasingly mindful of the passage of time and the finite nature of life. She articulated a heightened consciousness of her own past, stretching back to her childhood, recognizing that these experiences laid the foundation for who she has become today.

The actress emphasized the necessity of confronting past mistakes and regrets directly at a certain stage in life, likening it to walking through fire to reach the other side. She expressed a refusal to remain stagnant in anger or denial, acknowledging that negative experiences had indeed impacted her and needed to be addressed.

When reflecting on the contrast between her journey of self-discovery in her elder years compared to her youth, MacGraw attributes her increased clarity to the substantial effort and focus she invested. By deliberately shifting her perspective and addressing underlying issues, she reveals feeling happier in her senior years:

“I don’t want to harbor anger anymore, pretending everything’s fine just to please others while simmering with resentment underneath. But altering that mindset requires effort and focus, and I couldn’t have accomplished it alone.”

The star also added that as the years passed on, she feels blessed, lucky, and happy. She also revealed that she was doing the best that she could. MacGraw has since chosen to live a quiet life that’s generally away from the spotlight.

The talent behind “Goodbye, Columbus” now calls Tesuque, a charming village north of Santa Fe in New Mexico, home. MacGraw’s decision to relocate was largely motivated by environmental concerns related to global warming.

She shared that her choice followed the tragic loss of her house in Malibu to the annual forest fires in California. Concerned about the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the region, including severe droughts, she made the decision to pack up and move on.

Despite initially exploring the possibility of acquiring a smaller property near Malibu that would offer safety from air pollution for herself and her animals, MacGraw’s search in California proved unsuccessful. However, while assisting a friend with designing a home in New Mexico, she found herself drawn to the area. Eventually, she decided to rent a small cottage in the charming village of Tesuque, north of Santa Fe. Reflecting on her current living situation, she shared:

“I live in a little village north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, called Tesuque. I had helped a friend design her house [there]. I bought a tiny cottage there which is where I still live in the mountains… I love my life.”

The actress, known for her frequent travels, initially sought a private cottage near the beach in Malibu. However, her plans took a turn when someone questioned why she wasn’t residing in her cottage in Santa Fe instead. This comment prompted her to reconsider her options and ultimately led to her decision to settle in Tesuque, near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The “Gunsmoke: The Long Ride” star took on the task of decorating her house with the assistance of Santa Fe architect and builder, Rod Gesten. Together, they expanded the original 1,000-square-foot house by an additional 400 square feet, incorporating a dining room and a master suite into the design.

The original house was built around 1981, and MacGraw added a new deck with a hot tub and a bell tower. In 2021, fans got to see what part of her house looked like in the year it was built and the influence of the area she lives in is evident in the interior design.

Gesten incorporated a framed stucco garage that seamlessly blended with the existing rock wall, extending its aesthetic appeal. Additionally, some of the original stables were dismantled to make way for modifications. Situated on five acres of land, the pueblo-style home now features a studio, serving as a versatile workshop for various purposes.

Since relocating to New Mexico, MacGraw has expressed her deep appreciation for her life there. Despite initially not knowing anyone from the region, she recounted being persuaded to make the move. Once settled, she eagerly immersed herself in a vibrant artistic and cultural community, characterized by a rich blend of Native American and Spanish influences.

During her Zoom interview with Rappler, where the actress discussed various topics, she was adorned in intricately designed Native American-inspired jewelry, reflecting her passion as an avid collector. Currently, she has put her acting career on hold to prioritize privacy and dedicate time to her work as a designer with an organization called Ibu, a role she thoroughly enjoys.

The actress departed from Hollywood in 1994, opting for Santa Fe, where she collaborates with female artisans on a clothing line under Ibu. Reflecting on her journey, MacGraw recalled a time of rewriting the past and fantasizing about the future. However, she now finds herself living a fulfilling life and considers herself blessed.

During the interview, MacGraw briefly delved into her past, reiterating how her journey involved uncovering and confronting experiences she may not have previously enjoyed. By doing this groundwork, she discovered new avenues for self-awareness and for cultivating the kind of life she desires to lead.

MacGraw reflected on her journey of self-discovery in her 40s, acknowledging her contributions to the shortcomings of her past three marriages. Now, with a life she considers wonderful, she uniquely begins each day:

“I start my day in gratitude, [and]… I guess it’s many decades of work, but I’m grateful for it because I’m happy, and I feel very grounded. I don’t feel frightened.”

The star considers herself “one of the luckiest people” she’s ever heard of. MacGraw has been married three times but is currently single. Renowned for her influential presence during her heyday, which Calvin Klein once described as an epitome of great American style, she was highly sought-after. Following her first marriage to Robin Hoen, lasting two years, she then married Robert Evans, who was the CEO of Paramount Pictures at the time.

The former couple remained married for three years and welcomed their son, Josh Evans, in 1971. However, during the filming of “The Getaway,” MacGraw engaged in an affair with her co-star, Steve McQueen.

Their affair commenced on the first day of filming, leading MacGraw to ultimately divorce Robert to pursue a relationship with McQueen. However, their marriage took a tumultuous turn.

McQueen’s jealousy became apparent, leading him to pressure MacGraw to abandon her career because he couldn’t cope with her being away on set for extended periods and having to perform intimate scenes with other actors. After five years of marriage, they divorced, as MacGraw grew bored with the relationship. Unfortunately, she was left with nothing due to the prenuptial agreement she had signed.

In her candid interview with Rappler, the actress openly discussed her relationship with McQueen, portraying him as a complex individual shaped by a challenging childhood. Despite the complexities of their relationship, she harbors no resentment towards her ex. She expressed:

“We had a very strong relationship in our hearts – I think forever… When he was good, he was very, very good, and when he was bad, he was horrid… but it didn’t diminish for me how much I loved him.”

Despite her marriages not resulting in long-term success, MacGraw finds immense joy in being a mother to her son. She proudly celebrates and expresses affection for Josh, who has chosen to follow in his mother’s footsteps by pursuing a career in acting. However, Josh revealed that his initial aspirations did not align with the entertainment industry:

“I think the first job I ever wanted to do was not in the film business. I was not one of these kids who wanted to be an actor; it just came about.”

Having discovered a deeper passion for working behind the camera rather than in front of it, Josh transitioned to directing instead of pursuing acting. Following his first marriage, he welcomed his son Jackson Evans with his current wife, Roxy Saint, bringing joy to MacGraw as a proud and devoted grandmother.

Outside of her family life, the star engaged in community service and animal welfare efforts, often providing shelter for those in need. Her involvement in creating a documentary about conservationist George Adamson in Kenya, Africa, inspired her to become the honorary chair of the Fitzjohn/Adamson African Wildlife Preservation Trust.

When at home, the actress opts not to wear a watch, as the pace of life in her town doesn’t require it. Her style reflects simplicity, often consisting of skinny pants or jeans paired with a basic top, accessorized with shawls, scarves, and ballet slippers. She adorns herself with an array of jewelry, including pieces inspired by Mexican, Afghan, or tribal designs.

As of August 2019, Ali MacGraw had maintained her sobriety for 32 years and expressed feeling significantly improved as a result. However, the most rewarding aspect of her journey has been embracing a simple lifestyle, which she described as the most remarkable “spiritual movement of our century.”

MacGraw has found sanctuary and peace in her quaint little village of Tesuque. With no plans to return to acting any time soon, the Hollywood icon is happily focused on embracing her life to the fullest with her cultural and designer pursuits.