How many people remember Bo Derek? For me, she’s always been a favorite, and when I learned what she’s been up to in recent years, I was even more delighted with her. I recall the first time I saw Bo Derek in her film debut in 1979; it was difficult not to notice the stunning young blonde woman with beautiful blue eyes in the film ’10.’
But what happened after her outstanding Hollywood career? Bo Derek was born as Mary Cathleen Collins and raised in California. Her mother worked with Swedish-American actress Ann-Margret, giving her an early start in Hollywood.
Bo obtained an agency at the age of 16 through her mother’s contacts, which resulted in her first film part in the film Once Upon a Love.
The film was shot on the picturesque island of Mykonos in the Greek Archipelago. During the filming, Bo met her future husband, John Derek. The pair quickly fell in love and formed a relationship. Bo was just 17 years old at the time, and John Derek was 47.
The age gap alone may have sparked a scandal, but there was another factor that made their connection inappropriate: John Derek was happily married to actress Linda Evans.
But soon after meeting Bo, John divorced his actress wife.
“I was at least somewhat responsible for some terrible agony Linda Evans endured. She had been kind and courteous… Funny enough, I saw her just yesterday. We were attending a jewelry trunk show for charity. And she was as amazing and wonderful as always. I always feel bad when I’m with her. It’s just ingrained, even years later,” Bo told Interview Magazine in 2016.
Because Bo was a child at the time, John was concerned about getting jailed in the United States, so the pair spent time in Europe and Mexico to circumvent California’s age of consent rules. They later got married in Las Vegas in 1976. She was 19, and he was 49.
After they married, Bo’s career took off. John cast her in his films, frequently in uncomfortable stances and settings, to generate publicity for his low-budget productions. Bo established herself as one of Hollywood’s most gorgeous actresses with the film ’10.’ Her famous hairstyle, cornrow-style blonde braids, made its debut in that film as well.
Her spouse suggested that Bo wear braids in the picture, despite the fact that he was not the director.
“It was the late 1970s; everything was fluffy, and I’m blond…” What are you going to do to seem different? John had always believed it would be a fantastic look for me, purely for photography; he’s an excellent photographer. We tried it. And he replied, ‘Why don’t you take these photos to Blake and see if he’ll go for it? It would be ideal for the role, because you don’t appear average,” she told Interview Magazine.
Following the success of ’10,’ Bo Derek starred in numerous films of her husband’s, including Tarzan, The Ape Man (1981), Bolero (1984), and Ghosts Can’t Do It (1990), all of which received unfavorable reviews. Following that, Bo appeared on various television shows, including 7th Heaven, Lucky, and Queen of Swords.
Bo has been politically engaged since the start of the twenty-first century, supporting George W. Bush and the Republican Party throughout the 2000 and 2004 elections. However, she claims she does not support any party at present and voted for Barack Obama.
Horses are one of her main passions (particularly the Lusitano, a Portuguese horse breed), and she has authored an autobiography titled Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life: I Learned from Horses.
For a while, she was also involved in horse breeding on her ranch. Bo has always advocated for animal protection and opposes horse slaughter.
She also helps to support and rehabilitate combat veterans as the honorary chair of the VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events.
Derek told the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs that VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events encourage physical and spiritual recovery, allowing veterans to regain their freedom and live a better life.
“I am deeply honored and moved to once again serve as the honorary chair of a truly noble cause on behalf of America’s veterans.”
Her father, Paul Collins, worked as a radio operator during the Korean War, and both Bo’s stepfather and late husband, John, were warriors. Bo, who has been widowed since 1998, is currently in a relationship with John Corbett, a 59-year-old actor and former “Sex and the City” star.
“We enjoy each other’s company and make each other laugh.” “After 15 years, we still hold hands and have barbecues with friends a couple of times a week,” Bo explains.
The pair met back in 2002. Norby Walters, a Hollywood agent, scheduled a date for Bo and Corbett at his usual Oscars party.
“I answered, ‘I’m not dating anyone,’ and he said, ‘I’ll get you a date, Corbett!'” And he hooked me up with Bo,” Corbett told TODAY in 2015.
In August 2021, the pair finally revealed some wonderful news. After over 20 years together, Bo and Corbett married in a private ceremony.
“We’re fairly private folks. We did not make an announcement. All of our friends and family knew, but this is the first time either of us has spoken publicly about it since we haven’t had the opportunity. So, you’re my friend, and now I guess I’m telling the rest of America, or the globe,” Corbett remarked in a virtual interview with CBS.
Bo Derek now lives a lovely life in California with her husband, sister, brother-in-law, and two children.
Even though she no longer appears in major films or is in the public spotlight, she remains a timeless figure.
For example, consider the beach scene below. You recognize it, right?