This 80s Icon Overcame Tragic Loss and Continued Her Journey as a Single Mother — What Does She Look Like at 70?
Sensing that her husband had something he needed to say before his untimely death, the beloved actress was devastated when he passed away. She has since transformed herself, both in appearance and spirit, long after the heartbreak.
She rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s for her role in the iconic action series The Dukes of Hazzard. Although she was initially at risk of losing the part, she became one of the most recognizable faces on television.
In an open interview, the actress shared, “Being Daisy Duke was pure coincidence! My agency told me, ‘You’re too exotic and just not TV material,’ and I got fired! I’m half Mexican and half German.”
Despite the odds, she was determined to prove her worth. The actress revealed that her first husband, David Shaw, had connections to Bob Clark, who worked alongside the show’s creator, Gy Waldron.
Thanks to her role as inspiration for the character, Bob arranged a meeting with her. Initially hesitant, she was eventually convinced by a friend to go. Two weeks later, she was cast. Proudly, she designed the iconic Daisy Duke ensemble herself.
Her husband worked as a producer and production manager behind the scenes while she captivated audiences. Shaw had been involved in projects like The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (1999) and Murder, She Wrote (1984).
During their marriage from 1976 to 1981, they had no children. Later, she married Peter Lopez, a music lawyer who represented famous artists such as Michael Jackson and Michael Bublé.
Married in 1990, the couple welcomed two daughters, Sophia in 1996 and Laura in 1998. She often expressed her joy about her marriage, calling it the best thing that had ever happened to her. “I can stay home with the kids while he works. This is the happiest I’ve ever been. Suddenly, it was all gone,” she reflected.
In April 2010, her world was shattered when her husband tragically took his own life. She recalled the morning of his death in an interview, recounting how he approached her from behind while she was making breakfast and said, “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?”
Confused, she checked everything, but it seemed fine. She went to embrace him, kissed him, and told him, “I love you,” something they did every day. With their hectic morning, she asked him to drop the kids off at school, which he agreed to do.
As he dropped their daughters off, he said, “Bye, I love you,” to which they replied, “Bye, dad.” That was the last time they saw him. He had taken his life at their home, a few acres away from the house, surrounded by gates.
After hearing the gunshot, she rushed up the hill to find out what had happened but couldn’t continue when she realized the danger it might put her children in. He was found by one of the staff members, and emergency services quickly arrived.
«We were devastated. Our family felt insulated, and when you lose a part of that, it’s overwhelming,» the actress shared. Following his death, she and her eldest daughter poured over books to understand the tragedy.
Despite not having struggles with substance abuse or financial difficulties, the actress decided to take part in a suicide education course to better understand the issue.
Her girls became her source of strength, and she remained dedicated to their well-being. She focused on keeping her family together, determined not to let grief define them. She didn’t feel guilty and took care of herself and her children to remain strong. She and her daughters attended grief counseling together, which she believed was key to healing.
Through her community and faith, she found the strength to carry on. A devoted Catholic, she leaned on the advice of her priest and made time for church and prayer.
She explained that these routines, alongside therapy, helped her maintain resilience. She also participated in bereavement group therapy, where she was surrounded by people who had experienced similar losses.
In 2012, Catherine Bach returned to acting after taking time off to mourn and heal. Her first role back was in the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, where she played Anita Lawson.
Years after her husband’s passing, Bach continues to honor his memory. In June 2023, she posted a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram, writing, “Happy Heavenly Father’s Day, honey. You were not only a wonderful husband but an amazing father to our daughters.”Инструменты
