‘Designing Women’s Jean Smart, 71, Stuns Makeup-Free after Recovering from Crucial Heart Issue

• Emmy Award-winning star Jean Smart lost her spouse, Richard Gilliland, after being married for three decades.
• She later underwent surgery and urged fans to take better care of their health.
• Smart and Gilliland share two children. She admitted that being a single mom is especially hard because she did not expect to lose her husband.

Jean Smart is an award-winning veteran actress who still looks as beautiful as ever despite her age. Best known for her role in the sitcom, "Designing Women," she has only been married once.

Smart was married to actor Richard Gilliland whom she wed in 1987. The couple crossed paths when Gilliland joined the cast of the CBS show, "Designing Women."

They had been married for 33 years before he sadly passed away on March 18, 2021, at age 71. Six months after Gilliland's passing, his wife won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in the comedy-drama series, "Hacks."

Smart paid tribute to her late spouse during her moving acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards in September of that year. She first acknowledged him and expressed:

"I would not be here without him, without his sort of putting his career on the back burner so that I could take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities that I've had."

Later in the press room, the Washington native got emotional about her win and said the experience was touching because it was unexpected.

She noted that being recognized by her peers was a big deal because she had a difficult time since losing her husband. Smart further stated that Gilliland would be exceptionally thrilled for her.

In January 2023, the television star attended the 80th Golden Globe Awards and recalled a memorable moment from working alongside actress Margot Robbie and actor Brad Pitt in the 2022 film, "Babylon."

When asked on the red carpet what it was like working with them, she complimented the duo, saying they are "so lovely" and are "incredible professionals" who are "so funny and sweet."

The day after her Emmy Award win, she was filming with the Hollywood stars when Pitt, who saw the awards show, approached her and knelt beside her. Recalling that encounter, Smart shared:

"[...] He took my hand and he congratulated me and gave me his condolences about losing my husband. He said, 'I had no idea you'd been going through that.' He was incredibly kind."

Smart spoke candidly about her husband's sudden death in December 2022, saying, "It's shocking." Though she hears about it happening to others most of the time, when it had happened to her "it absolutely knocks you sideways," she said.

A year and a half after Gilliland's death, the Broadway star expressed that things were becoming tougher because she had been grieving for a long time. She added:

"Now, slowly, the reality of my new life is setting in, and I find that very, very, very, very sad, very lonely."

Smart Underwent Heart Surgery – Her Spouse Died from a Heart Condition

Following her red carpet appearance at the Gloden Globes, Smart revealed in February 2023 that she had undergone heart surgery and was recovering.

The "Frasier" alum, who lost her husband due to a heart condition, shared a statement on her Instagram, noting that it was American Heart Month, a period when the nation focuses on heart issues.

"[…] So, it feels important to share with all of you that I am recovering from a recent, successful heart procedure. […] Please listen to your body and talk to your doctor – I'm very glad I did!" Smart penned. She said she was lucky to recover while receiving care and support from her friends and family.

The movie star took to her Instagram account in July 2023 to share a picture of her and actress Zurin Villanueva beaming while posing for the snapshot. Smart appeared make-up free in the image while she and Villaneuva rocked casual looks.

She revealed in her post that she had gone to see "Tina," the musical at the Pantages, and Villanueva was the lead character. Smart shared she had a great time, complimenting Villaneuva for nailing her role in the "fun and moving" show.

Smart Is a Mother of Two Kids Who Live Private Lives

Smart has two children who are not well-known to the public. She gave birth to her first child, son Connor, in October 1989, only two years after she and Gilliland wed.

Unlike his famous mother, Connor, who is now 33, is inactive on social media and leads a private life away from the public eye.

Although not much is known about him, what is public knowledge is that he has an adopted sister named Bonnie, who now identifies as a boy named Forrest.

Smart said she initially wanted her youngest son to join the family when Connor was 15. However, the adoption process took longer than expected, so the "Sweet Home Alabama" star and Gilliland only adopted Forrest when Connor was 20.

In 2009, the couple traveled to East Asia to get Forrest when he was only ten months old. Like his older brother, there is little information about him.

As a widowed single mom, Smart got candid about raising her now-teenage son in a February 2022 interview. The doting mom expressed losing Gilliland threw her off-guard because she never thought she would lose him and believed he had another two decades to live.

"And having a young child, it's been unimaginable. Being a single mother is the hardest thing I've ever done," the mother of two explained.

Smart said her acting career has been a "great distraction" from grieving her late spouse. She gave credit to her fellow stars who had shown her immense support amid her grief and helped her get through the difficult time in her life.

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