Bo Derek is a cherished memory for children of the 1970s. She was one of the most prominent figures of her era, with her signature blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and iconic braided hairstyles. Many people have been curious about her life since her brief period of stardom, including where she ended up, why she left acting, and what her current circumstances are. Let’s see what Bo is up to these days.
The Early Years of Bo Derek
Mary Cathleen Collins was born in Long Beach, California, on November 20, 1956, before she became known as Bo Derek. Mary was raised by working-class parents in a typical American household. Her father worked as a sales executive, while her mother was a cosmetics artist. Mary had two areas of great interest when she was a teenager. She loved horses and would compete in various events, proudly showcasing her talents. She also cherished acting and took classes to improve her abilities.
Bo appeared in the movie Orca (1977). Her actual rise to prominence was largely attributed to Blake Edwards’ 1979 film 10. This was when her signature blond braided hair started to stand out. She didn’t continue a career of appearing in action-packed, daring movies after this one. Among them were the films Tarzan, The Ape Man from 1981, Bolero from 1984, and Ghosts Can’t Do It from 1990.
Union with John Derek
When Bo was just 16 years old, she met the director John Derek, who would become her husband. He was married to Linda Evans at the time. They only started dating a few years later. Because Bo was still a minor, they had to travel to Mexico and Europe to avoid the strict American laws.
John was 48 years old and Bo Derek was 19 when they were married not long after. Bo mentioned in an interview that she often felt a pang of guilt when Linda was near. Bo claimed, “I was at least partially to blame for some severe suffering she (Linda Evans) experienced.” Years later, it remains deeply ingrained.
After then, John and Bo Derek started working together on projects. John would feature her in his films, which generated publicity for his movies and Bo.
Her Braided Hair Look Was Inspired by John Derek
Although John Derek did not create or direct her most well-known movie, 10, he did design the braided look. He advised Bo to show Blake some of the pictures he had taken to see if the man liked the way they looked. She definitely did. Bo Derek remarked, “John is a fantastic photographer, so I’ve always thought that would be a great look for me.”
Unfortunately, John Derek passed away in 1998 due to cardiovascular illness. When he passed away, he was 71 years old. Bo claimed she never thought she would reconnect with anyone following his passing.
Bo Derek, the Humanitarian and Horse Enthusiast
Bo Derek’s early equestrian pursuits appeared to dominate her subsequent celebrity years. Bo chose to step back from acting even though her career was at its height. Instead, she became an advocate for animal welfare. She worked hard to preserve and protect animals.
Bo Derek cares about more than just animals. She was also appointed the National Rehabilitation Special Events chair honorary by the VA. According to Derek, “VA’s National Rehabilitation Special Events promote the healing of body and spirit, which helps veterans enjoy a higher quality of life and improve their independence.”
Bo is currently married to “Sex in the City” star John Corbett. They have spent over two decades together. They decided to wed in secret, in front of only their closest friends and family, without making any public statements.