She is convinced that a healthy living is the key to her evergreen beauty and she has proved that from a succesful career to a satisfying relationship; strong women can have it all.
American TV can go ahead and make as many remakes of the iconic Charlie's Angels, but deep down fans know that nothing is going to be as perfect as the original one. The first episode of the series was aired in 1976, and since then the three girls—Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and the late Farrah Fawcett have remained etched in the minds of TV lovers.
One of the coolest Charlie's Angel Jaclyn Smith has lived a life full of ups and downs and fearlessly tapped into many avenues in her career and personal life. Although she has had a fair share of heartbreaks, she continues to inspire young girls and women.
She went on to be a staple face on TV before she went on to start her own clothing brand called Kmart, which made her a successful entrepreneur. But life took a rather cruel turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But this strong woman dealt with it in her quintessential way—with honesty and courage. She now shares tips on facing and defeating cancer, but only she and her loved ones know how hard the fight was. In an interview with Woman's Day, the 74-year-old actress revealed that she was very afraid when the news was broken to her, but she went on to take it sportingly and faced the disease head-on.
"Fear invaded my whole being because I hadn't educated myself. I was ready to boom—go into surgery," she said. "There is that moment when your world stops spinning and you think, 'Wow, I have two kids.' My first question was, 'Am I going to be here for my kids?'" she added.
But she also clarified that self-pity serves no purpose when you are caught in a complicated situation like this. You will have to do what needs to be done; having your friends and family around you helps you in more ways than you can imagine.
"I was lucky because I had girlfriends who had been through breast cancer and a supportive family," she admitted. "Hey, it's pretty traumatic when something like this happens. And attitude is important. You can't say, 'Poor me,' 'Why me?" or 'Why did this happen to me?' You need to say, 'Life is to be enjoyed. It's to be embraced. It's a gift,'" she added.
Fast forward a few years, she is healthy as ever and happy with her newfound peace, so much so, that her recent Instagram photos can give any young actress a run for her money. She says that it could be possible only because of her healthy lifestyle and clean eating habits. She does not drink and smoke but does enjoy a cheat meal sometimes. She had once said, "You're looking at a clean-living girl."
When she was asked what were the three things that she always keeps in the fridge, she replied, "Milk because I have oatmeal and cereal every day. And blueberries every day. And carrots: I mix up a juice every other day—carrot, apple, celery."
However, the transformation isn't just physical. Emotionally, too, she has decided to put her wellbeing first. When she lost her mother more than a decade ago, she admitted that it became impossible for her to return to her hometown of Houston. "Every corner is a memory," she said. "And I don't take her number off my phone. I have an obsessive love for my family. I think I'm abnormal," quoted Mail Online.
She also dealt with quite a few heartbreaks graciously before she finally found true love in husband Brad Allen, a heart surgeon.
She got divorced from her first husband when she was only 30. But how she handled herself is proof that she is truly one of a kind. She never fell from grace or allowed herself to get drowned in negativity. She learned that what mattered most is to be true to oneself and never lose oneself in a relationship.
"I don't count the first ones. They were no good," said Smith. "In my innocence, [I thought] you didn't live with somebody [unless you were married]. I got smart, though." Would she have married them if she knew better? "Probably not. Why waste my time?" she replied cheekily. Although, she learned to trust again when she found the right man and was generous with her love and affection. She is married to Allen 22 years now and is happier than ever.
"He's an incredible stepfather [she had two children with ex Tony Richmond]. My children are his and Bea [her two-year-old granddaughter] calls him Pop-Pop," she gushed.
The biggest takeaway from her for anyone struggling with life is—under any situation, survive! Her's is a tale of a true survivor and she, standing tall and elegant at 74, is in no mood to give up on life and its simple joys.
"I remember once saying, 'I really want to challenge myself,'" she said. "And, believe me, I got that wish. I feel very proud at my age to still be doing it all. But if it all ended tomorrow, I'd be a happy woman."
References
https://www.womansday.com/life/entertainment/a2951/a-survivors-story-jaclyn-smith-18936/
