Stefanie Powers, 82, Holds Court in Los Angeles in Casual Style, Reflects on Glamour Era and Notable Romance

Stefanie Powers, the 82-year-old star who helped define late-70s television, was photographed in Los Angeles this week in a casual, sporty outfit that drew attention from fans and photographers alike. The outing offered a rare glimpse of the actress away from the red carpet, as she ran errands in a simple black T-shirt paired with vibrant patterned leggings. The practical ensemble marked a stark contrast to the glamorous gowns she wore in her heyday, underscoring the timeless appeal that continues to surround Powers.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Powers broke into acting as a teenager and gradually built a versatile résumé that would span television, film and reality television decades later. Her early career featured supporting roles in films such as Experiment in Terror (1962) and If a Man Answers (1962), and a high-profile supporting turn in John Wayne’s McLintock! (1963). Her big break came in 1966 when she landed the lead role of April Dancer in The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., a spin-off that helped establish her as a rising star in the burgeoning television era. Although the series lasted only one season, Powers’ profile continued to rise as she moved into a string of films in the 1970s, including Disney’s The Boatniks (1970) and Herbie Rides Again (1974). She also appeared in the western sequel The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972).

Stefanie Powers is best remembered for her partnership with Robert Wagner on the ABC mystery series Hart to Hart. The show, which followed the jet-setting couple Jonathan and Jennifer Hart as they turned to amateur sleuthing, became a fixture of American television during its five-season run and later spawned eight TV movies in the 1990s. The chemistry between Powers and Wagner helped define an era of glossy, glamorous detective fiction, and the series remains a touchstone for fans of classic TV crime drama. Powers’ presence on screen during the era was complemented by her other notable performances, including her turn in Escape to Athena (1979), a caper film that paired her with a star-studded ensemble including Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Sonny Bono and Elliott Gould.

Her long-running collaboration with Wagner—paired together on Hart to Hart—helped cement Powers’ status as one of television’s most recognizable leading ladies of the era. The show ran five seasons, concluding in 1984, and its enduring popularity led to a string of TV movies in the following decade. Powers embraced the era’s chic glamour while continuing to expand her repertoire beyond Hart to Hart, including later appearances on reality television.

Off screen, Powers’ personal life drew intense public interest, particularly her romance with Oscar-winning actor William Holden. The two dated from 1972 until Holden’s death in 1981, a relationship Powers has described as defining in her life. Holden, 25 years Powers’ senior, was a veteran of Hollywood’s golden era, and the relationship remained a major talking point for years. Powers has said the two were soulmates, noting that there were periods when Holden was sober and committed to their partnership, even as his struggles with alcohol occasionally cast a shadow over their circumstances. Holden’s death, attributed to injuries from a fall while intoxicated, occurred on November 12, 1981, and Powers chose to honor him by establishing the William Holden Wildlife Foundation the following year. The organization, named in his memory, has focused on conservation work in Africa, including efforts in Kenya.

Powers’ life in the public eye extended beyond romantic headlines. She has described balancing her career with philanthropy, and she has discussed how her work with the wildlife foundation became a meaningful focus during and after her time on Hart to Hart. In addition to her screen work, Powers has pursued opportunities in reality television, including a 2011 appearance on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, where she was among the contestants but was the first to be voted out. She explained at the time that her participation was partly motivated by a desire to raise awareness for conservation causes connected to Holden’s legacy, underscoring a longstanding commitment to public service alongside her artistic career.

Powers’ personal life also includes marriages that illustrate a varied and evolving path. She was married to actor Gary Lockwood from 1966 to 1972, a relationship that overlapped with a period of intense professional activity. In 1993 she married French aristocrat Patrick Houitte de La Chesnais, a union that lasted until 1999. These episodes, like her significant others and collaborations, contributed to a public narrative about a performer who navigated fame with resilience and grace.

Today, Powers remains a beloved figure for fans of Hart to Hart and for viewers who remember the broader sweep of her career—from the stage and screen to her philanthropic endeavors. While she continues to step out for appearances and interviews, the aura of the late 1970s and early 1980s—an era of glamour, espionage-inflected television, and high-profile partnerships—persists in public memory. The enduring appeal of Powers’ work, along with the legacy of her collaborations with Wagner and Holden, keeps her at the center of discussions about Hollywood’s cultural history during a transformative period for television and film.