She first captivated the world in 1972, when a striking young woman from Arizona named Lynda Carter was crowned Miss USA. With her regal poise, dazzling smile, and quiet strength, she seemed born for the spotlight. That same year, she represented the United States at the Miss World pageant, stepping onto the global stage — not yet realizing she was on the verge of becoming an icon.
But Carter would soon discover that beauty pageants weren’t always as glamorous as they appeared. Reflecting on that period years later, she described it bluntly: “They slap a banner on you, stick a crown on your head, and call you a beauty queen. I didn’t win any prizes — just a label. And honestly, it was painful. There’s a built-in cruelty in those contests.”
After the pageant, Carter chased an acting career in Los Angeles. She landed a few small roles, but the reality of Hollywood hit hard. Work was scarce, and her savings were running out. She was ready to take a “normal” job just to survive — until one life-changing phone call from her manager. Actress Joanna Cassidy had turned down a new television role, and producers wanted to see Carter for it. The part was for Diana Prince, also known as Wonder Woman.
That audition would change her life forever.
When “Wonder Woman” premiered in 1975, it wasn’t just another superhero show — it was a cultural milestone. For the first time, millions of women saw a heroine who was strong, smart, and powerful, yet deeply human. The show debuted at a time when women were marching through the streets demanding equality. Carter’s portrayal of the Amazonian warrior arrived at exactly the right moment.
In one episode, Wonder Woman declared, “Any civilization that does not recognize the female is doomed to destruction. Women are the wave of the future, and sisterhood is stronger than anything.” Those words became a rallying cry for a generation.
Carter understood the power of the role. “When people said women would be jealous of me, I told them, ‘Not a chance. I’m not playing her that way. I want women to want to be me — or be my best friend,’” she told CBS News. “For that time in your life when you pretended to be her, it felt like you could fly.”
The show made her a star. By 1978, she had been voted “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” and a poster of her in a crop top became the year’s best-seller. But Carter wasn’t thrilled about the attention. “It was uncomfortable,” she admitted. “I just took a photo I thought was silly. My husband said, ‘Tie your shirt up, it’ll look cute,’ and the photographer loved the lighting. Suddenly, that picture was in millions of bedrooms. It was strange — like I’d lost control of my own image.”
Despite the fame, Carter’s relationship with her stardom was complicated. She didn’t see herself as a sex symbol — she saw herself as an artist. She used her platform to challenge stereotypes, to show that beauty and strength could coexist.
In the years following Wonder Woman, Carter took on a range of roles in television and film. She starred in Partners in Crime alongside Loni Anderson and appeared in The Dukes of Hazzard. She also found success on stage, earning praise for her performance in the musical Chicago. But no matter what she did, she would always be remembered as the woman who gave life to one of pop culture’s most enduring heroines.
In 2016, the United Nations celebrated the 75th anniversary of Wonder Woman’s creation by naming her an honorary ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls. Carter attended the ceremony, reflecting on her legacy. “The greatest honor and responsibility of playing Wonder Woman,” she said, “was serving as a role model for fans around the world — especially girls. I’ve seen firsthand how a powerful, compassionate superhero can inspire women to believe in themselves and men to support equality.”
Carter’s personal life was just as eventful as her career. She was married twice. Her first marriage, to talent agent Ron Samuels, placed her squarely in Hollywood’s fast lane. He represented major stars, and for a time, they were one of the industry’s most glamorous couples. But their marriage cracked under the pressure. “It was painful for both of us,” Carter later said. “I hope he’s forgiven me. I’ve forgiven him. I truly wish him well.” Their divorce was finalized in 1982.
Marriage counseling services
Two years later, she met Robert A. Altman, a prominent Washington, D.C. attorney. The two met at a Maybelline event — Carter was the brand’s spokesperson at the time, and Altman only attended because he’d heard she would be there. “I knew she was a beautiful actress,” he once recalled, “but honestly, I wasn’t looking for a Hollywood romance. I almost stayed home to watch football.”
That unexpected meeting turned into a love story that lasted nearly four decades. The couple married in 1984 and welcomed two children. Carter stepped back from Hollywood for several years to focus on family life, trading red carpets for school runs and quiet dinners at home.
Her husband, Robert, was her rock — especially when she faced personal demons. Carter has spoken candidly about her struggle with alcoholism, revealing that she’s been in recovery for more than two decades. “I didn’t even start drinking until my mid-twenties,” she shared. “I would stop for a few years, then start again, and it just felt terrible. That was a long time ago now. I’m happy — really happy. Robert helped me through that. He was my knight in shining armor.”
Tragically, in 2021, Robert Altman passed away at age 73 after battling a rare form of leukemia. His death left a deep hole in Carter’s life. On what would have been his 75th birthday, she posted a moving tribute:
“To me, you cannot be gone, because the love you gave so freely endures. It lives on in me, in our children, and in everyone whose lives you touched. You gave so much of yourself while you were here, and today we honor your love, your life, and your legacy. If I were on a mountain, I’d sing to you through the canyons. Instead, I woke to the dawn and sang my heart and love to you.”
Even in grief, Carter’s strength shines. She continues to act, sing, and advocate for women’s rights — still the same spirited, compassionate woman who first donned the Wonder Woman costume nearly fifty years ago.
Now at 71, Lynda Carter remains breathtaking. But more importantly, she radiates the kind of beauty that time can’t touch — one rooted in grace, resilience, and authenticity.
She’s no longer just the face of a superhero; she’s the embodiment of one.
Her legacy isn’t just about a role or a poster or a crown. It’s about what she represented — courage, empathy, and the idea that real power doesn’t come from strength alone, but from compassion and self-belief.
As Lynda once said, “You can be strong and kind at the same time. That’s what Wonder Woman was always about. That’s what women are.”