This '80s Star Survived the Death of Her Son & Lived in a Loveless Marriage — She Stunned Fans with Her Transformation at 84

This iconic actress has faced numerous hardships throughout her life, including escaping a toxic marriage. Despite these struggles, she has emerged stronger, and after many years, she embraces her independence.

This Hollywood star became a household name as Sue Ellen Ewing on the iconic "Dallas" TV show, which captivated audiences from 1978 to 1991. Even more than 30 years after the series concluded, she continues to impress fans with her ageless beauty, all while overcoming significant hardships in life.

Her time on "Dallas" not only shaped her career but also had a profound impact on her personal life. The role she portrayed hit close to home, as her mother struggled with alcoholism. To help, the actress gave her mother the first five scripts of the show.

"She then became sober and she went to Betty Ford clinic. It was amazing for both of us because I sat there with her and she realized that she had a problem," the actress shared. Her mother's realization of the addiction depicted in the scripts ultimately led to her journey toward sobriety.

The impact of "Dallas" extended beyond the celebrity's personal life — it was pivotal in reviving her career aspirations. Reflecting on the opportunity, she acknowledged how much the show transformed her path.

"Getting Dallas was a catalyst for me because it opened so many doors, philosophies, and ideas," said the Hollywood star. She also recalled how the main cast, including Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, and herself, were all out-of-work actors before landing their roles.

"We had no idea it was going to be successful, so we were like, 'Oh, here we are, trying the best we can,'" the California native added. The show's unexpected success became a turning point for her and her colleagues.

While "Dallas" marked a high point in her career, her personal life told a different story. At the time, she was married to Grammy Award-winning art director Ed Thrasher, with whom she had two children.

However, their marriage, which began in 1962, was far from fulfilling, as the Hollywood star later revealed in an interview.

"I don't like the word abusive because he was just living the life he knew how to live," the actress explained. She added that her spouse had a creative mind, and part of his dream was to become a cowboy and run a ranch with horses.

When their children were young, they moved to the house they had designed and built together, where he had his horses and chickens. However, when she expressed her desire to pursue acting, his response was, "No. You'll become an actor when the children are in college," recalled the former model.

Reflecting on that time, she thought, "My God, we're living his dream, but what about mine?" While many women of that era accepted staying home, she questioned, "Is that all there is?"

Despite the life they had built, the actress found herself deeply unhappy in the marriage. The weight of her unfulfilled dreams and the strain of their relationship became too much to bear.

"I was miserable. I thought, if I don't get out of this marriage, I will die. I went back and forth for months," the actress candidly revealed in her memoir, "The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction."

Reflecting on her marriage, she realized the seeds of her unhappiness were planted early on. She married Ed at just 21, and it didn't take long for her to sense something was wrong — even on their honeymoon in Acapulco.

"Because we had sex I thought, 'Oh, now I'm really an adult, a woman,' but I didn't feel loved and nurtured," she admitted. Instead, she felt neglected. The next morning, Ed left her alone in the hotel while he spent the day taking photos, setting a pattern of emotional distance and control that would define their marriage.

"It tore me apart but I just thought, 'Well, I can make this work somehow.'" And somehow, she did. But, as she later revealed in an interview, "It took me 21 years to leave my marriage." The couple officially divorced in 1983, after more than two decades together. However, more heartache followed just a few years later.

In 1988, the actress faced a devastating loss when her beloved sister, Betty Gray, whom she used to confide in, passed away from breast cancer at 43. Reflecting on that painful moment, she shared, "It was mind-boggling that someone could be here one minute and gone the next. It showed me the fragility of life and how fast it can go."

The loss of her sister was only the beginning of a series of heartbreaking events. In 2006, Ed passed away at 74. Then, in 2020, tragedy struck again when their son, Jeff Thrasher, died at 56.

Linda Gray honored her son's memory with a touching tribute on Instagram, writing, "A celebration of my son Jeff's life. He was the kindest, funniest, sweetest human being..... he brought the world such love and was loved by everyone! May his journey be a magical one."

Amidst all the loss and heartache, Linda still finds comfort in the family she has left. She now has her daughter, Kehly Sloane, who has pursued her own path as an actress, and two beloved grandchildren.

After walking away from her loveless marriage, Linda embraced life as a single woman and found contentment in her independence. In a 2015 interview, she reflected on this choice saying, "A lot of women are content on their own and don't want a partner. They want their freedom."

Even in her 80s, the producer still captivates her fans with her beauty. In a June 2024 Instagram post, she shared a radiant photo of herself smiling, and it wasn't long before the compliments poured in.

"Looking FABULOUS," one follower commented, while another stated, "You look stunning Linda, wauw [sic]." Echoing these sentiments, another fan wrote, "You are absolutely beautiful inside and out!!"

Linda remains active in the entertainment industry, and when asked about the possibility of taking on a role in a full-time television series in a 2023 interview, she admitted the decision wouldn't be easy. "That's a tough call honestly. That's a lot of work. I don't know, it'd be fun to try it, why not," she remarked.

Linda Gray's journey through life has been marked by resilience, strength, and an unwavering sense of self. From her iconic role on "Dallas" to her continued presence in the entertainment world, she remains an inspiration, embracing her independence and cherishing the family and fans who support her.