In the 1970s, Hollywood created stars who seemed to have everything — fame, beauty, and a world of admiration. Among them was a rising star who captured hearts across the globe. Her name was Lindsay Wagner, and her journey from TV sensation to wellness advocate is a story of perseverance, struggle, and ultimate self-discovery.
Lindsay’s path to stardom wasn’t instant, but she had something undeniable: talent. She dreamed big, worked hard, and eventually landed the role that would make her a household name — Jaime Sommers in The Bionic Woman.
In the show, Jaime was a professional tennis player who, after a terrible accident, became a superhero thanks to bionic implants. The show was a smash hit, and Lindsay became an icon for strength and grace.
Reflecting on the impact of the role, Lindsay shared, “It was the beginning of changing the image of women in the media. Anybody over the age of 34 still tells me how I was such a big part of their childhood.” She couldn’t have known that, through her portrayal of Jaime, she was helping to redefine what women could be in the public eye.
Her fans on social media couldn’t help but express their admiration, too. One person commented, “Wow! My childhood hero!!” while another wrote, “Absolutely Beautiful!!😍😍😍.”
But behind the scenes, Lindsay’s life was far from perfect. As the fame from The Bionic Woman grew, the pressure mounted. By the time the show ended in 1978, Lindsay was exhausted and burned out. The constant demands of filming, long hours, and the pressure to maintain the public’s image of perfection were taking a toll on her emotional and physical health.
Lindsay revealed that she was feeling disconnected from her character, and it mirrored her own feelings of emptiness.
She even wrote the final episode of The Bionic Woman, saying, “How Jaime Sommers was feeling — not like a woman but like a kind of robot — was the way I was feeling about the series.”
The grueling schedule of working 16-hour days on set, combined with the ongoing battles with studio executives, led Lindsay to cope in unhealthy ways. “I felt betrayed, friendless,” she admitted.
“I knew I had to make some changes; I had to become more relaxed about people and within myself.” This struggle with fame led her to alcohol and drugs, but she soon realized that she needed to break free from this destructive pattern.
Her reputation began to suffer. On the set of The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel, she reportedly became upset, asking crew members to remove rocks and sticks from her path after tripping multiple times. While some saw her behavior as difficult, others recognized the immense pressure Hollywood placed on her.
“I was raised by the Golden Rule, but no one in this business has heard of it,” Lindsay said, reflecting on how the industry could be unforgiving. She even found herself shouting at God, “You forgot the movie industry!”
Things took a turn for the worse when Lindsay experienced serious health problems. Medication she was prescribed caused her hair to thin, and a car accident left her with visible scars on her lip and scalp.
She also developed chronic urticaria, a condition that caused painful welts and swelling all over her body. “It would burn. It would itch like crazy. It’s something that could just make you go insane,” she said, remembering the pain.
Despite trying medications like steroids, which only offered temporary relief, Lindsay was desperate. After eight months of suffering, she started seeking alternative healing methods, focusing on holistic health practices that would later shape her future.
Her personal life didn’t offer much relief either. Lindsay’s first marriage, to music publisher Allan Rider, ended in just two years. Her second marriage, to actor Michael Brandon, lasted only three years.
Her third marriage, to stuntman Henry Kingi, started with a beautiful ceremony in Lake Tahoe, where they exchanged a Paiute Indian blessing. However, this marriage also ended in divorce. Friends described the relationship as “like living with a roller coaster.”
Emotionally and physically drained, Lindsay knew she needed to make a change. She turned inward, focusing on her personal growth and well-being. “I went back to reading the Bible,” she revealed. This return to spirituality helped her find peace and balance. She believed that “Every commitment you make, to your career or to anything else, is an expression of God. You must do it with love and faith.”
Lindsay’s newfound faith led her to let go of the toxic pressures of Hollywood and focus on healing. She adopted a holistic approach to health that included natural remedies, inspired by teachings she had encountered as a teenager.
When faced with severe ulcers and gallbladder problems, Lindsay avoided surgery by turning to these alternative methods. Her experience with natural healing helped shape her passion for wellness, and she later shared these teachings with others through workshops and retreats, including her Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart events.
Years passed, and Lindsay continued to focus on her personal growth and wellness. But in 2018, something inside her pulled her back to Hollywood. She made a return to acting, appearing in the movie Samson and taking a role in Grey’s Anatomy. Speaking about her return, she said, “I’m kind of being guided to come back. The heart wants what the heart wants, as they say.”
Even in her sixties, Lindsay continued to inspire. Social media fans couldn’t help but notice her timeless beauty and vitality. One follower posted, “Lindsay. Wow you’re still so beautiful xxx.” Another shared, “😍😍Lindsay ahhhh eternal child in love, the most beautiful woman on the planet.”
Lindsay’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how tough things get, it’s never too late to start over. Her transformation from a Hollywood icon to a wellness advocate shows the power of resilience and self-discovery.
Her journey proves that happiness and peace can be found when we’re willing to let go of the past and embrace new opportunities.
What do you think of Lindsay’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
