From an early age, Bo Derek had her sights set on acting. Her first big break came at the age of 16, thanks to her mother’s connection with Swedish-American actress Ann-Margret.
While working on that film, she met her future husband, actor and director John Derek. It was her role in the movie “10” that catapulted her to stardom, mesmerizing audiences with her enduring beauty.
Their relationship was quite the talk of the town due to the age difference. John, then in his fifties, left his wife, actress Linda Evans, to be with Bo, who was only seventeen. This significant age gap brought its own set of challenges, but the couple was resolved to make it work.
Now, at 66, Bo Derek still reflects on the past, feeling remorse for ending John and Linda Evans’ marriage.
Bo recently ran into Linda at a charity jewelry event and found her to be as gracious and stunning as ever—a meeting that left Bo feeling a bit sad.
Their romance began when Bo was a teenager and John was in his thirties. Due to legal risks tied to their age difference, the couple spent most of their time in Mexico and Europe until they married in Las Vegas in 1976.
One of the most memorable images of Bo is her iconic cornrow-style blonde braids, an idea suggested by John Derek to give her a distinct look that would set her apart in photography and her career. Her manager, Blake, approved the unique hairstyle, which has since become a hallmark of her identity.
Throughout the 1980s, Bo’s fame grew with roles in movies like “Tarzan, The Ape Man” (1981), “Bolero” (1984), and “Ghosts Can’t Do It” (1990), all directed by her husband, John Derek.
While Bo initially had reservations about remarrying, she found love again with actor John Corbett, who was 60 at the time. They tied the knot in 2020 after 15 years of dating. Sadly, John Corbett passed away in 1998 at the age of 71.
Nonetheless, they shared a loving relationship filled with laughter and quality time, often spent on romantic dates and grilling with friends. They always held hands, a testament to their affection for each other.
Bo Derek’s life is also deeply connected to her love of horses. She poured her passion into her autobiography, “Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses,” to convey the profound impact these animals have had on her.
An ardent animal activist, Bo champions the cause against horse slaughter and strives to improve animal welfare worldwide.
Today, Bo lives in California, where she continues her advocacy for horses’ rights and enjoys their company. She attributes much of her current fulfillment to the invaluable experiences she’s had with these magnificent animals.
