In 1972, she captivated audiences worldwide by clinching the Miss USA title, earning the opportunity to represent her nation on the global stage at the prestigious Miss World pageant. This victory marked a turning point for the stunning Lynda Carter, paving the way for her most iconic role yet – that of Wonder Woman.
Carter swiftly became a figure of admiration, transcending gender boundaries as women and men from all corners of the globe hailed her for her unparalleled beauty and remarkable talent.
Reflecting on her coronation as America’s most beautiful woman, Carter candidly remarked,“I didn’t get any prizes. They smack a little banner on you, they stick a crown on your head and call you a beauty queen,” branding the experience as both “bad” and “painful” because of the “certain built-in cruelty” pageants come with.
Before securing the iconic role of the superheroine, Carter faced challenges in her acting career. Despite landing a few roles, financial struggles loomed large, prompting her to consider a regular job. However, a pivotal moment arrived when her manager delivered news that changed everything: the role of Diana Prince and her crime-fighting alter ego, Wonder Woman, was now hers, after Joanna Cassidy’s rejection.
As one of the pioneering female superheroes, Wonder Woman became a symbol of empowerment for many. Just prior to the series’ debut, throngs of women marched down Fifth Avenue in New York, advocating for equality.
In an episode, Wonder Woman delivered a poignant warning: “Any civilization that does not recognize the female is doomed to destruction. Women are the wave of the future and sisterhood is…stronger than anything.”
Carter executed the role to perfection. Her influence was immense and her character influenced a number of female writers and producers.
When CBS News suggested that women might feel envious of her portrayal of the heroine, Carter responded confidently, saying, “Well, I said, ‘Not a chance. They won’t be, because I am not playing her that way. I want women to want to be me, or be my best friend! There is something about the character where in your creative mind for that time in your life where you pretended to be her, or whatever the situation was, that it felt like you could fly.”
In 1978, Carter earned the title of ‘The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,’ and a poster featuring her donning a crop top became the year’s top seller, although this achievement didn’t bring her much joy.
Apart from her work in films and series, including “Partners in Crime,” where she starred alongside fellow Hollywood beauty Loni Anderson, and “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Lynda Carter also ventured into theater, securing a role in the production of “Chicago.”
In 2016, Carter attended the United Nations’ celebration of the 75th anniversary of Wonder Woman’s first appearance, where the female superhero was declared the “Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls.”
“The greatest honor and responsibility of playing Wonder Woman was serving as a role model for fans around the world, particularly girls,” Lynda expressed during the ceremony.
“I’ve seen first-hand how a powerful yet compassionate superhero can inspire women to believe in themselves and men to support equality.”
Lynda Carter was married twice. She met her first husband, Ron Samuels, an agent and promoter, when he invited her to his office for a business discussion. Samuels was a prominent figure in the film industry, having worked with notable names such as Jennifer O’Neill, Joyce DeWitt, Jaclyn Smith, and Barbara Carreras.
At the height of their fame, they were one of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples. However, their marriage faced challenges, including differing views on whether to have children.
“I hope he forgives me and I have forgiven him because it was painful for both people. And I wish him – honestly and truly – wish him well,” Lynda expressed when their divorce was finalized in 1982.
Two years later, Carter found love again and married Robert A. Altman, an attorney from Washington D.C. Their paths crossed at an event hosted by Maybelline, the cosmetic brand Carter represented as a spokesperson. Interestingly, Robert’s decision to attend was solely motivated by the presence of the Wonder Woman actress.
“I know that she was a good-looking actress who modeled for Maybelline, but I couldn’t quite place her,” Robert admitted.“I was intending to go back to the hotel and watch a football game and I thought the last thing I wanted was to go to dinner and get mixed up with some Hollywood actress.”
After tying the knot with the man she considered her soulmate, Carter chose to step away from the spotlight, devoting herself to raising their two children.
Carter and Robert remained together until his passing in 2021, after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. He passed away at the age of 73.
The actress struggled to overcome the profound grief she experienced. On what would have been his 75th birthday, she penned a heartfelt message on her social media platform.
“Today would have been your 75th birthday. To me you cannot be gone, because the love you gave so freely endures. It lives on in me, our children, and the many people whose lives you touched. You gave so much of yourself while you were here, and today we honor your love, your life, and your legacy”.
“If I were up on a mountain today, I would sing to you through the mountain’s canyons. Instead, I woke to the dawn, over the ocean and sang my heart and love to you.”
Reflecting on her battle with alcohol addiction, the now 71-year-old actress revealed,“I’ve been in recovery for 23 years. And I didn’t even start drinking till I was in my mid-20s. I would stop drinking for two or three years, then start again and it just felt terrible. That was a long time ago and now I’m very happy,” She credited her late husband as her savior, describing him as her knight in shining armor who offered unwavering support throughout her journey.
Lynda Carter continues to captivate as one of Hollywood’s enduring beauties. Despite the passage of time, she defies age and remains as stunning as ever.
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