Donna Mills and Her Daughter Love to ‘Hug & Laugh’ despite Criticism for Being ‘Too Old’ to Be a Mom

• Donna Mills welcomed her only child as a single parent and through adoption.
• When Chloe Mills started school, her mother gave up her career for almost 20 years to raise her.
• Today, Donna is in a happy long-term relationship with a man she'll probably never marry.

During a July 2023 interview, Donna Mills says she always knew having a child was something she wished for herself, but it was too late when the star decided to do it. By the 1990s, the celebrity, who was 54 and single, couldn't have children naturally.

However, she wanted a baby so much that she made the easy decision to adopt. Donna confessed that she felt her child was meant to be hers, and certain elements came into play to make it happen for her.

"Fate came in and put her in my arms at 4 days old," the actress said. From that moment, she saw the child as hers, and it was one of the "happiest periods" in her life. But some people didn't approve. She recalled them saying:

"'You're going to be so old [to] have a little toddler running around.'"

However, the iconic star never felt that way. She didn't feel older than mothers in their 20s. Donna says she loved her acting career, but being a mother rivaled everything. On Mother's Day this year, Donna shared a heartwarming throwback photo of herself holding baby Chloe Mills as she looked about to kiss the child.

In an uncanny fashion for the holiday, the actress celebrated her role by honoring her daughter. Donna revealed feeling "exceptionally grateful" for her "incredible" child and that motherhood gave her a "depth of feeling" she wasn't aware existed until she held Chloe in her arms. She added:

"And now I feel it every time I see her, every time we hug and laugh and do silly stuff together."

The mother of one even recalled Chloe telling her at the tender age of two, "Mommy, our heartstrings are tied together." The legendary star agrees with her "darling" daughter and believes the heartstrings will remain that way forever.

During an interview last year, Donna went into further detail about the long break she took from her acting career to be Chloe's present parent. The pair now have a close relationship due to that sacrifice.

Why Did Donna Put a Pause On Her Career to Raise Chloe?

Before welcoming her only child, Donna's career was her main focus, but when she realized she was missing something else, it dawned on her that she wanted a child. She pursued her goal until it manifested.

The actress vouched for having children later in life, especially for people who wished to have careers. She believed the time Chloe came into her life was perfect, and years later, the duo are still close. Donna revealed they see each other once weekly, and each day they talk or text.

From starring in 1971's "Play Misty for Me" until 2022's "Nope," Donna has had a steady workflow, but things changed when she welcomed her daughter. When her baby girl was younger, Donna continued working, only doing some television movies and other things because she couldn't take her daughter along.

The actress stayed in town for two-month periods when her child started attending school. In 2022, the star admitted that for the first few years, she couldn't take her daughter with her while working, wishing for a normal everyday life for the child.

Chloe's mother eventually took an 18-year break to become a stay-at-home mother because she didn't want her baby to be raised by a nanny and didn't want to be apart from her daughter any longer. The "Knots Landing" actress has not regretted that decision, instead, her choice all those years back led to her cementing a tight bond with her daughter.

An example of how close the pair is was evident in Donna's 2021's Mother's Day post on Instagram. The star showed off how she and Chloe spent enjoyed quality time together when she uploaded a clip of them dancing.

Luckily, Gilman supports her being independent, and everyone loves him!

In the post's caption, Donna revealed her daughter was her "favorite dance partner" and thanked her "bunny" for making the time to be with her.

Luckily for Donna, she didn't always have to rely on Chloe for a personal relationship because, later in life, she found romantic love. The actress fell in love with a man younger than her.

Who Is Donna's Current Partner?

In a controversial move for someone born in her time, Donna never married. Instead, "The Secret Storm" star found love with someone also in the acting industry, Larry Gilman, and they've been in a relationship for decades.

The actress met Gilman in 2001 at a point in their lives when they were both already well-established. The couple chose not to marry for "practical reasons" and never regretted the move, celebrating being together for over 20 years in July 2023.

The "General Hospital" star noted that combining their wealth was complex, so they united in life, but not their finances. The pair felt it easier to continue with their lives without getting married.

Luckily, Gilman supports Donna's independence, and everyone loves him! He works as a producer and an actor, having featured in films like "Three on a Match" and "Final Destination" and co-produced "Whole Way Down." He has also worked on different brand endorsements.

This month, the actress revealed that she plays tennis five times weekly when she wants to have fun and isn't working. The celebrity also works out almost every day,

At 82, Donna's bucket list includes doing a television series again. She likes working and recently finished a movie that could become a series. The actress is crossing her fingers that it becomes a reality.

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