How many of you recall Bo Derek? For me, she has always been a standout favorite, and discovering what she’s been involved with in recent years only deepened my admiration for this radiant star.
I vividly remember the first time I saw Bo Derek in her breakout role back in 1979—it was impossible not to notice the stunning young blonde with piercing blue eyes in the film ‘10‘.
But what path did her life take after her legendary Hollywood heyday?
Bo Derek
Posted by Golden Years of Television on Monday, November 21, 2016Born as Mary Cathleen Collins, Bo Derek grew up in California’s sun-drenched landscapes. She entered the entertainment industry early, thanks in part to her mother’s connection to actress Ann-Margeret, who is Swedish-American.
Thanks to her mother’s contacts, Bo secured an agent at just 16 years old, paving the way for her first film appearance in Once Upon a Love.
This film was shot on the enchanting Greek island of Mykonos, part of the Greek archipelago. During filming, Bo met her future husband, John Derek. The two quickly fell for each other and began a relationship. Bo was only 17 at the time—John Derek was 47.
The significant age gap alone could have sparked scandal, but there was an even more controversial detail: John Derek was happily married to actress Linda Evans.
Not long after their initial meeting, John divorced Linda Evans.
“I was at least partly responsible for some serious heartbreak she (Linda Evans) endured. She was incredibly gracious and kind… I saw her just yesterday, funny enough. We were at a charity jewelry event, and she was just as fabulous and gracious as ever. I always feel like crap around her. It’s just ingrained, even years later,” Bo shared with Interview Magazine in 2016.
Because Bo was still a minor, John risked legal trouble in the U.S., prompting the couple to spend time in Europe and Mexico to bypass California’s age of consent laws. They eventually married in Las Vegas in 1976, when she was 19 and he was 49.
Following their marriage, Bo’s career skyrocketed. John cast her in his films—often in provocative scenes designed to generate buzz for his modest-budget productions. In her debut film ‘10‘, Bo cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most captivating actresses. That film also introduced her iconic look—blonde hair styled in cornrows.
It was actually her husband’s idea that Bo wear braids in the movie, despite him not being the director.
”It was the late 1970s, everything was fluffy, and I’m blonde… What can I do to stand out? John always thought that would be a striking look for me, just for photos—he’s an excellent photographer. We tried it, and he suggested I show the photos to Blake to see if he’d approve. It would be perfect for the role, making me stand out from the crowd,” she explained to Interview Magazine.
After ‘10‘, Bo starred in several of her husband’s films, including Tarzan, The Ape Man (1981), Bolero (1984), and Ghosts Can’t Do It (1990), though all received poor reviews. She also made guest appearances on TV shows like 7th Heaven, Lucky, and Queen of Swords.
Since the early 2000s, Bo has engaged in political activism, openly supporting George W. Bush and the Republican Party during the 2000 and 2004 elections. However, she now claims to be unaffiliated with any party and has voted for Barack Obama.
A major passion of hers is horses, especially the Lusitano breed from Portugal, and she authored an autobiography titled Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses.
For a period, she focused on horse breeding at her ranch. Bo has long championed animal rights, advocating for an end to horse slaughter.
She also dedicates herself to aiding injured veterans through her role as honorary chair of VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events.
“VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events promote healing of the body and spirit, helping veterans regain independence and enhance their quality of life,” Bo said in a statement to the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.
“I am deeply honored and touched to serve once again as the honorary chair for such a noble cause supporting America’s heroes.”
Her father, Paul Collins, served as a radio operator during the Korean War, and both her stepfather and late husband, John, were veterans. Widowed since 1998, the 63-year-old Bo is currently dating actor and former “Sex and the City” star John Corbett, who is 59.
“We enjoy each other’s company; we make each other laugh. After 15 years, we still hold hands; we have barbecues with friends a few times weekly,” Bo shares.
They met in 2002, thanks to Hollywood agent Norby Walters, who arranged their introduction at his traditional Oscar party.
“I told him I wasn’t dating anyone, and he said, ‘I’ll find you a date, Corbett!’ That’s how I ended up meeting Bo,” Corbett revealed to TODAY in 2015.
In August 2021, the couple announced some wonderful news—after nearly two decades together, Bo and Corbett tied the knot privately.
”We’re quite private about our lives. We didn’t make a public statement. All our friends and family knew, but this is the first time either of us has spoken publicly—really, we haven’t had the chance. So, you’re my friend, and now I guess I’m telling all of America, or maybe the world,” Corbett said during a virtual interview with CBS.
Today, Bo Derek enjoys a peaceful life in California with her husband, her sister, brother-in-law, and their two children.
Although she no longer appears in major films or seeks the spotlight, she remains an enduring icon of timeless beauty.