Lynda Carter Experienced ‘an Unfortunate Chapter’ during 1st Marriage before She Met Love of Her Life

Lynda Carter was unprepared for the realities that plagued her when she agreed to marry Ron Samuels, a famous agent. She recalled it as "an unfortunate chapter" but was lucky to meet her second husband, who stuck by her throughout his life.

Lynda Carter was an Arizona native who grew up without her father, as her parents divorced when she was young.

Carter, the last child of her parents, did not have a strong bond with her dad, and before she reached adulthood, the Arizona native had to earn extra money for her family.

She sang in local pizza parlors, and once Carter graduated from high school, the young singer left her hometown, touring with a singing group.

Carter later added modeling to her resume by involving in several beauty competitions. Fortunately, some producers interested in filming "Wonder Woman" noticed the young beauty, which changed her life.

The actress's big break was in the 1975 feature. A few years after fame, she married the famous agent, Ron Samuels. However, their marriage did not last, nor did it produce any children.

Shortly after their divorce, she found love in the arms of Robert Altman, who remained her husband and father to their two kids until he died in Baltimore last year.

AN INEXPERIENCED MARRIED WOMAN

Carter was young when she ventured into the industry, first as a singer, then a model, and finally, an actress. She was inexperienced in certain matters, and once she fell in love with Ron Samuels, she did not second guess a union.

Samuels, who managed "Charlie's Angels" celebrities Kaye Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and "Bionic Woman" actress Lindsay Wagner was way older than Carter, his client-turned-wife.

Not much is known about their union, as Carter never likes to divulge information about it, but the "Wonder Woman" star had revealed that she was not happy.

Carter tagged her first marriage "an unfortunate chapter" of her life, maintaining that her first husband was older and she was "stupid."

The on-screen celebrity was never happy throughout her marriage to Samuels. This stirred an alcohol addiction as she began drinking in her mid-20s. According to her:

"I would stop drinking for two or three years, then start again, and it just felt terrible."

MEETING ALTMAN AND BEING A HAPPILY MARRIED WOMAN

The actress is always pumped up about sharing details of her romance with Altman, whom she met in 1982. Carter admitted that it was her second marriage and Altman's first, but she viewed it as her first marriage.

Carter met Altman, who worked with a legal team, at an honorary dinner in Memphis. The two became friends and initiated their romance a short time later.

The actress confessed that she was not scared to move from Los Angeles to D.C, where the legal practitioner resided. However, unlike her first romance, she felt ready and hungry for "some substance" in her life.

Two years after they met, the couple tied the knot, which brought an outstanding change in her life. She restructured her life's goals, which involved having a family with husband number two. Being Mrs. Altman redirected her compass, and at the time, she explained:

"Now I have a different goal: Robert and having a family and my career in addition….I want to start a family. It's time. I have the man I want. I have where I want to live."

Marrying Altman gave her a new sense of purpose and awakened her mind. However, her experience taught her a lesson. Decades into their blissful marriage, the "Wonder Woman" star said that one life lesson from her first marriage is:

"Don't marry the first person that proposes to you."

INSIDE CARTER'S PERFECT HOME

Altman found as much success as his wife in the tech world. He co-founded "ZeniMax," a video game company later sold to Microsoft.

While they pursued their passion and excelled, the couple never neglected their marriage. Carter would often introduce herself as "my husband's wife" to his co-workers and once revealed that they protected each other.

Truthfully, these love birds maintained loyalty and support from the day they married. The actress stuck by the business mogul during a banking fraud trial and Altman was dedicated to helping his wife through her alcohol problems.

COPING WITHOUT ALTMAN'S PRESENCE

Sadly, the perfect union was interrupted by Altman's death in 2021. This came as a shock to family friends because he was deemed healthy. Altman's tragic end occurred from surgery complications, and its suddenness made it challenging for his wife to accept.

Carter still resides in their Maryland Georgian-style mansion, and while she misses Altman, the actress reveals that he is still with her. The "Wonder Woman" star honors the deceased by doing what he would have loved: keeping a positive mindset and spending time with their two kids.

Despite trying to source for joy in other aspects of her life, Carter remained eternally grateful to her husband and maintained that he gave her all the love in her life.

CARTER'S SUPPORT SYSTEM

Carter and Altman's love influenced their kids, Jessica and James, resulting in a happy home. The pair are incredibly close to their mom and have helped her through the grief.

Jessica, who pursues a career in music like her mom, continues to work with the living legend, and the girls have performed a duet on-stage.

Carter is always available to cheer on her daughter, and whether she is scheduled to perform with the younger talent, the mother of two never misses Jessica's performances.

Carter's mini-me is blessed with the actress's gorgeous looks, apart from inheriting her entertainment skills. However, she also has some of her dad's genes: Jessica studied law at Michigan.

Carter's firstborn, James, took after his dad. He works as a lawyer and runs his business, "ZeniMax Media." James works as a Director of Publishing Operations in the company.

While the mini-Altmans have continued to uphold the family's legacy, they also have a sweet relationship with their mother and have sufficed as her shoulder to lean on in trying times.