Even after decades in the entertainment industry, this celebrated actress remains deeply passionate about her work. Though her personal life has been marked by difficulties—including the end of her 28-year marriage and a complicated bond with her only daughter—she has found peace and fulfillment in her career.
Now 90 years old, she was once one of the biggest stars of the 1960s. While her personal life has had its ups and downs, her Hollywood legacy is undeniable.
Her career began with The Trouble with Harry in 1955, and she went on to earn praise for her roles in The Apartment, Irma la Douce, and Terms of Endearment. She credits much of her discipline to her early years as a dancer, which taught her efficiency and strong work habits.
Unlike many stars, she never developed a reputation for diva behavior. Instead, she was known for her professionalism and ability to work well with others. Even as she has taken on fewer roles, she remains passionate about acting and continues to bring energy and enthusiasm to her work.
Away from the spotlight, her personal life has been unconventional. She married producer Steve Parker in 1954, and they had a daughter, Sachi, in 1956. Their marriage, however, was not traditional. She described it as more of a friendship than a romantic partnership, and they agreed to have an open relationship—something uncommon for their time.
While she built her career in Hollywood, Steve spent much of his time in Japan. Despite living apart, they remained close and often traveled together. Eventually, in 1982, they officially divorced.
When it came to motherhood, she believed in pursuing her own happiness rather than sacrificing her dreams. She felt that staying home unfulfilled would have created resentment, which she did not want her daughter to experience. Having seen her own mother give up her ambitions, she was determined to take a different path.
As a result, Sachi spent much of her childhood with her father. While they lived far apart, the actress always made herself available to her daughter. Sachi once recalled that her mother was just a phone call away, and at the time, she did not feel abandoned. However, as the years passed, their relationship became more complicated.
In 2013, Sachi published Lucky Me: My Life With – and Without – My Mom, Shirley MacLaine, in which she revealed a different side of their relationship. She described her mother as emotionally distant and recalled feeling isolated. She also shared that during visits, her mother seemed to lose interest after only a short time. Their different priorities—her mother’s adventurous nature versus her own desire for stability—caused further tension.
One of her most painful childhood memories was a Christmas spent alone while attending boarding school in Europe. With neither parent returning home for the holidays, she found herself staying with strangers. Though she now looks back on it with humor, at the time, it was a difficult and lonely experience.
Even as an adult, Sachi longed for a stronger bond with her mother, but she felt her mother refused to acknowledge their emotional distance. She did not receive financial support growing up, but in hindsight, she believes this helped her become more independent.
After sending her mother a copy of her memoir, she never heard back. Despite the emotional difficulty of writing the book, she found it to be a cathartic experience. She insisted that her goal was not to criticize her mother but to share her truth—something her mother had always encouraged.
Now 68, Sachi has two children, Frank Jr. and Arin, from her marriage to Frank H. Murray, which lasted from 1993 to 2011. Unlike her mother, she chose to be highly involved in her children’s lives. She admitted that she may have overcompensated as a parent, ensuring her kids had the stability she lacked growing up.
Meanwhile, her mother continues to embrace life on her own terms. Now in her later years, she is selective about her acting roles, choosing projects that align with her personal values rather than high-profile, big-budget films. She has learned to balance work with a quiet and peaceful life.
She describes herself as being in a place of deep contentment. While romance is no longer a priority, she finds companionship in her three beloved dogs.
She spends much of her time at her ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, where she enjoys the solitude and beauty of nature. Occasionally, she ventures into Santa Fe to explore the arts and food scene. With an optimistic outlook, she embraces each day, grateful for the journey she has had.
