The Hollywood icon found herself in a whirlwind romance with a man thirty years her senior as she ascended to fame. After his passing, her heart opened once more in her mid-forties when she fell for a renowned actor. Their enduring love story continues to captivate.

However, her path to stardom started much earlier. At just 17, she made her debut in the film “Fantasies,” shot in Greece. During filming, she fell in love with her director, John Derek, who was 30 years older. Their relationship led to the end of his marriage to actress Linda Evans.

The duo’s romance eventually led to marriage in 1976, and they remained devoted to one another for 22 years until the actor’s passing in 1998 from congestive heart failure.

The veteran actress later opened up about the profound impact of her husband’s passing, reflecting on the emotional toll it took.

“I’ve always been a fairly optimistic person, but it was a huge change, an enormous loss,” she shared. “The air just gets sucked out of the room when you lose your partner. So I wallowed in that for a while.”

However, five years after her spouse’s passing, the former child model found herself unexpectedly drawn to another actor, sparking a new chapter in her love life.

Reflecting on their relationship, she described it as an attraction and a source of comfort, noting that he constantly made her laugh and was full of life and joy.

She admitted she became attracted to him early on and still felt the same, adding that they took things day by day and believed they were still in a good place.

At 45, the film actress found love again with the man five years her junior, an actor known for his role as Aidan Shaw in the beloved drama series “Sex and the City.”

In early 2002, Corbett, already known for “Sex and the City” and with “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” on the horizon, needed a date for an Oscars party.

In an interview, he recalled telling his friend that he wasn’t dating anyone, to which his friend responded, “I’ll get you a date, Corbett!” and arranged for him to meet Derek.

The Virginia native confessed feeling “very intimidated” during their first meeting, while Derek, who hadn’t been on a date in five years, was immediately drawn to him. She admitted liking him “instantly,” adding, “I kept saying to my friends, ‘I’ll wait until all the sparks and all that get going.’ And it finally happened.”

After more than a decade together, Derek and Corbett found joy in each other’s company and their quiet life at home. “We both travel so much, so, for us, our favorite vacation place is home,” Derek revealed in a 2018 interview, describing it as the center of their romance.

“We enjoy each other’s company; we make each other laugh,” Corbett added, noting that even after 15 years, they still held hands and hosted frequent barbecues with friends.

Building on their strong connection, the couple remained content without formalizing their relationship. By 2020, Derek explained that marriage hadn’t been a priority for them.

In another interview that same year, the California native further explained that their decision not to wed wasn’t intentional but practical, given their stage in life. “At our age, we’re not planning on having kids,” she noted, adding that for them, marriage would simply be “a piece of paper.”

Despite not prioritizing marriage, Derek emphasized that the strength of her relationship with Corbett stemmed from their deep connection. She reflected on their lasting bond, saying, “I mean, you have to be in love. Really, deeply, in love.”

The “Bolero” star explained that, despite their many differences, they approached their relationship one day at a time, and 19 years later, they were still together and committed to continuing the journey one day at a time.

Corbett revealed the news during an appearance on “The Talk” in August 2021, explaining their choice to keep it low-key. “We’re pretty private people,” he disclosed. While they hadn’t made a public announcement, he said their friends and family already knew. This marked the first time he spoke about their union publicly.

“Oh wow, they are PERFECT together!” one person wrote. Another added, “Never knew they even dated. Married. Wow. Good for them!” “I love these two together!” a third commenter shared, echoing the sentiment of many.

Meanwhile, Derek continues to draw admiration for her timeless beauty. Fans were quick to praise her in another Instagram post.

“You are still a beauty!!!” one admirer exclaimed. Another wrote, “You look awesome.” “You are the most beautiful woman in the world,” a third fan added, highlighting the widespread appreciation for her striking looks.