Bo Derek has always been a favorite of mine, and when I learned what she’s been up to lately, I was even more impressed by this goddess. How many of you remember Bo Derek?
It was hard to miss the stunning young blonde with the brilliant blue eyes in the movie “10” when I first saw Bo Derek in her 1979 film Breakthrough.
But what happened following her illustrious career in Hollywood?
Mary Cathleen Collins was Bo Derek’s birth name; she was raised in California. Because her mother worked for the Swedish-American actress Ann-Margeret, she was able to establish herself in Hollywood early on.
At the age of 16, Bo obtained an agent thanks to her mother’s connections, which led to her landing her first acting role in the film Once Upon a Love.
The romantic Greek island of Mykonos served as the location for the movie’s shooting. Bo and John Derek, her future husband, met while the film was being made. The pair started dating after quickly falling in love. Bo was only 17 years old and John Derek was 47 at the time.
Even though their relationship was inappropriate due to their age gap, John Derek was happily wed to actress Linda Evans.
But John split from his actress wife not long after he met Bo.
“She (Linda Evans) suffered some severe pain for which I was at least partially to blame. Funny enough, I had only seen her yesterday, but she had been so gracious and kind. We had just attended a charity jewelry trunk show. She continued to be amazing and fabulous. When I’m around her, I always feel awful. Years later, it’s just ingrained,” Bo said in an interview with Interview Magazine.
The couple spent some time in Europe and Mexico to avoid California’s age of consent laws since Bo was a minor at the time and John ran the risk of being detained there. Later, in 1976, they were wed in Las Vegas. While he was 49, she was 19.
Bo’s career flourished after their nuptials. To generate buzz for his low-budget films, John cast her in them, frequently in awkward poses and circumstances. As one of Hollywood’s most attractive actresses, Bo made a name for herself in the film “10.”. Her distinctive appearance, including her blonde braids in cornrow style, made its debut in that film as well.
Even though he wasn’t the film’s director, her husband was the one who suggested Bo should have braids.
John had always thought that would be a good look for me, just for photography—he’s a great photographer.
“It was the tail end of the 1970s and everything was fluffy, and I’m blond, and… What are you going to do to look different? So we gave it a shot. Then he suggested that they present Blake with these images to see if he would be interested. She told Interview Magazine, “It would be really good for the part, so you don’t look ordinary.”.
After “10,” Bo Derek made appearances in a number of her husband’s films, including Tarzan, The Ape Man (1981), Bolero (1984), and Ghosts Can’t Do It (1990), all of which received poor reviews. Following that, Bo made guest appearances in a number of TV shows, including Lucky, 7th Heaven, and Queen of Swords.
Bo has been politically engaged and has stated her support for George W. since the turn of the twenty-first century. Bush and the Republican Party during the 2000 and 2004 elections. She did, however, claim to have supported Barack Obama and to not currently support any particular political party.
She has written an autobiography titled Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses about her experiences with horses, particularly the Lusitano, a breed of horse native to Portugal.
She had been raising horses on her ranch for a while. Bo has long fought for the protection of animals and has demanded an end to horse slaughter.
As honorary chair of the VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events, she also supports and aids in the rehabilitation of war veterans.
Speaking to the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Derek explained that the National Rehabilitation Special Events sponsored by the VA “promote the healing of body and spirit, helping veterans improve their independence and enjoy a higher quality of life.”.
“I am incredibly moved and honored to serve as the honorary chair of a truly noble cause on behalf of American veterans once again. ”.
During the Korean War, her father, Paul Collins, worked as a radio operator; additionally, Bo’s stepfather and John, Bo’s late husband, were both veterans. The 63-year-old Bo, who has been widowed since 1998, is now dating 59-year-old actor and former “Sex and the City” star John Corbett.
“We laugh at each other’s jokes and have a good time together. We still hold hands after 15 years, and every few weeks, we have barbecues with our friends, says Bo.
In 2002, the couple first met.
At his customary Oscars party, Norby Walters, a Hollywood agent, set up a date for Bo and Corbett.
He offered to set me up with Bo after I responded, “I’m not dating anyone,” Corbett said in an interview with TODAY in 2015.
The couple finally shared some wonderful news in August 2021. Following almost 20 years of dating, Bo and Corbett exchanged vows in a private ceremony.
“We’re a fairly private bunch. We didn’t release a statement. Everyone in our circle of friends and family knew, but neither one of us has ever spoken out publicly about it because, in reality, we haven’t had the chance. So, you’re my friend, and now I suppose I’m telling the entire country or the entire world,” Corbett said in a video interview with CBS.
As of right now, Bo Derek is still leading a contented life in California with her husband, sister, brother-in-law, and their two children.
She remains a timeless icon even though she no longer stars in major motion pictures and is no longer widely known.
Watch the beach scene below as an illustration. You’ve seen it, right?
