Donna Mills may be best known for lighting up television screens as the captivating and conniving Abby Cunningham on the beloved soap opera Knots Landing, but behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Mills longed for something deeper.
Despite an impressive career filled with success, she came to a realization in her 50s: she wanted to experience motherhood.
A staple of television throughout the ’70s and ’80s, Mills built a career defined by elegance, talent, and an unmistakable screen presence.
Her breakout role in Knots Landing cemented her status as a TV icon, and her earlier appearances in soaps like The Secret Storm and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing further showcased her acting range. She even made her mark on the big screen, starring alongside Clint Eastwood in Play Misty for Me.
Yet, despite her career achievementsโincluding launching her own production companyโMills felt unfulfilled in one crucial area of life.
โI had a hit series, I had my own production company, I was doing all this stuff, and I said to myself, โWell, this is great. I’ve achieved almost everything that I’ve wanted to in my career. What about my life?โโ she once shared.
Her answer came in the form of motherhood. At 54 years old and single, Mills made the life-changing decision to adopt. In 1994, she welcomed her daughter Chloe into her lifeโjust four days after her birth.
โThatโs probably what I feel is my greatest joy,โ Mills revealed.
While critics questioned her decision to raise a child later in life, she never let age define her abilities as a mother.
โPeople said, โYouโre going to be so old to have a little toddler running around.โ I never felt that,โ she said confidently.
In fact, she found that becoming a parent later in life allowed her to be fully present, offering advice to others:
โIf you want to give to your career, I say having a child later in life is better than having a child early.โ
Her bond with Chloe became her top priority. The moment her daughter was placed in her arms remains one of Millsโ most cherished memories:
โProbably the best moment of my entire life. Those are my happiest timesโsitting in the rocking chair with her on my chest, singing to her.โ
Committed to giving Chloe the best upbringing possible, Mills made the bold choice to step away from acting for 18 years, dedicating herself to full-time motherhood. When Chloe eventually left for college, Mills reentered the industryโbut not without hurdles.
โItโs gonna be kind of a struggle to get back,โ she admitted.
โThe casting directors are 12, and they donโt know who I am.โ
Even so, her passion for the craft pushed her forward, and her return has been a testament to resilience and reinvention.
Beyond her career and motherhood, Mills has also become known for her views on aging and beauty. Choosing to age naturally, she has avoided cosmetic procedures, instead promoting a lifestyle focused on health, balance, and confidence. Her approach mirrors the independent spirit sheโs carried throughout her life.
Romantically, Mills has also gone her own way. Though she has been in meaningful relationships, she has never marriedโa decision rooted in her strong sense of independence.
โI was and still am tremendously independent. Always have been,โ she said, noting that she turned down multiple marriage proposals over the years.
Still, she has found enduring love. For over 16 years, sheโs shared a partnership with actor and producer Larry Gilman.
โWeโre like married but we never married. I never really saw the necessity of being married,โ Mills explained.
Today, Donna Mills stands as an inspiring example of a woman who embraced every stage of life on her own terms. From Hollywood stardom to late-in-life motherhood and an unwavering commitment to personal growth, she continues to redefine what fulfillment, beauty, and success truly mean.