'70s Star Ali MacGraw Virtually Vanished From Hollywood - Here's What She Looks Like In The 2020s
Ali MacGraw is somewhat of a rarity in the world of icons. Though her Hollywood career was such a flash in the pan in the late '60s and '70s before she disappeared from the scene, she still made a lasting impact in such a short time. We still love looking at the stunning style moments that made Ali MacGraw a fashion icon or flipping through her early modeling photos. But even from her peak playing Jenny Cavilleri in 1970's "Love Story," to pics of her taken at an event in 2020, MacGraw, by then aged 80, is still distinctly recognizable despite 50 years passing.
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In 2024, The New York Times reported that MacGraw was still doing some modeling, but was mostly living a quiet existence in New Mexico. "I'm grateful I had all that, but I live a very different life now," she told the outlet about life after Hollywood. "I don't care at all about being seen in the latest piece of clothing or knowing the latest song. I don't feel diminished by not knowing those things. I did it all and was looked at, and that was for another time." She spoke about not falling under the influence of the entertainment industry in the current chapter of her life, and that philosophy shows in her looks. It appears that MacGraw, one of the celebrities who look just as gorgeous with their natural hair, has embraced aging gracefully by letting her signature brown hair turn gray, and she also doesn't appear to be a dabbler in nips and tucks.
Ali MacGraw's half-up hairstyle is as strong now as it was then
Although Ali MacGraw was the whole package when it came to icons from the 1970s, with her natural beauty and effervescent personality, her hair was likely her defining feature. You can't think of MacGraw in the "Love Story" era and not picture that straight, center-parted brown hair that perfectly captured the vibe of her character in that era. Her super-long strands are one of the '70s haircuts and styles that you can make work in 2026, proving yet again that this star's style has longevity.
Looking back at pics of MacGraw, there's one hairstyle that she's less known for that still looks great now, and that's the half-up, half-down 'do. She wore the style in a few "Love Story" scenes, and was snapped in 2019 at a cocktail party in Paris, France, wearing the look as well. MacGraw is proof that it can be a great style for older women with long hair. It both shows off her beautiful face, but also adds a bit of height on top, which draws the eye upward, making everything feel more lifted.
But MacGraw's hairstyle is just the beginning — here are more half-up, half-down hairstyles to inspire your next styling sesh.