Once hailed as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, Ali MacGraw was the face of classic elegance and timeless glamour. Her radiant smile graced countless magazine covers, and her captivating presence lit up the silver screen, making her a beloved icon to fans worldwide. However, fast forward to today, and at 86 years old, she looks strikingly different—so much so that many would find her almost unrecognizable. Time has transformed her, but her impact on Hollywood and her legacy remain unforgettable.
Ali MacGraw was recently seen stepping out in New York City, 55 years after her legendary role in the romantic classic Love Story. On a bright February day in 2025, she was photographed walking the streets of the city wearing a chic black suit that suited her elegant yet understated style. Her silver-gray hair was swept back smoothly, paired with a simple black handbag and elegant kitten heels, projecting a graceful and confident image. It’s remarkable to think how much time has passed since MacGraw first rose to fame with iconic films such as Goodbye, Columbus in 1969 and Love Story in 1970.
At the age of 30, Ali MacGraw was a latecomer to the film world compared to many of her peers who started acting much younger. She made her debut with Goodbye, Columbus, a role that earned her the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer. The following year, she took on what would become her signature role—Jenny Cavilleri, a working-class college student who falls deeply in love with Oliver Barrett IV, played by Ryan O’Neal, in the romantic drama Love Story. The film was a massive box office success and critically acclaimed, propelling MacGraw into superstardom. For her performance, she received another Golden Globe and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1971.
Love Story remains one of the highest-grossing romantic films of all time and continues to be a staple of the genre. Its legacy endures, with Paramount+ announcing in 2021 that they were developing a series based on the movie, reaffirming its lasting appeal. Despite some parodies highlighting the film’s famously dramatic moments—like the unforgettable line, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry,” or the image of MacGraw’s character on her deathbed, still perfectly composed and beautiful—there’s no denying the film’s cultural significance. It firmly established Ali MacGraw as a top actress of her time, cementing her place on the Hollywood A-list.
Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw in 1939, Ali’s path into Hollywood was quite unconventional. Unlike many actresses who began their careers as teenagers or in their early twenties, she was already 30 when she made her big-screen debut. In a recent interview with The New York Times, MacGraw reflected on her swift rise to fame and said, “Looking back, it seems so strange that—overnight, at 30—I became a ‘movie star.’ I’m relieved I got out of that often exciting, often terrifying decade alive. I’d been working since I was 14, but I hadn’t gone to school for acting. I was chosen to be in Goodbye, Columbus, and then everything exploded with the stupefying surprise of Love Story—this cost-nothing project nobody expected to be a success.”
After a dazzling career in the 1970s, MacGraw gradually stepped away from acting in the 1990s, focusing on her personal life and other pursuits. Although she is no longer a regular presence in the film industry, her influence remains strong, and she is remembered fondly as a symbol of classic Hollywood beauty and talent.
Today, Ali MacGraw’s transformation is a reminder of the passage of time and the natural changes that come with aging. At 86, she no longer fits the traditional image of Hollywood glamor she once embodied, but her elegance, poise, and the mark she left on cinema continue to resonate. Her story is not just one of beauty, but of resilience, growth, and lasting legacy. Whether remembered for her unforgettable roles or admired for her grace in later years, Ali MacGraw’s place in Hollywood history is secure, inspiring generations of fans and aspiring actors alike.
