Stefanie Powers rose to widespread fame in the 1980s thanks to her unforgettable role as Jennifer Hart on the hit series Hart to Hart. The part earned her two Emmy nominations and firmly established her as a beloved television star.
Her path to the role was surprisingly accidental. While performing in a Broadway production of Cyrano de Bergerac, a newspaper strike in New York unexpectedly freed her schedule and led her to audition for the pilot episode of Hart to Hart.
Looking back on the unexpected opportunity, Powers once joked, “I will be forever grateful to whichever union caused the strike.” The series ran from 1979 to 1984, with Powers and her co-star Robert Wagner charming audiences as a stylish couple who solved mysteries with effortless chemistry.
Away from the screen, Powers’ life was deeply impacted by her long relationship with Oscar-winning actor William Holden. The two connected over shared passions—especially their love for wildlife, art, and history.
Their bond grew stronger during their travels to Kenya, where Holden introduced her to the breathtaking beauty of African wildlife. Those experiences ignited Powers’ lifelong dedication to conservation.
After Holden’s death, she honored him by founding the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, an organization committed to protecting wildlife and the environment—work she continues to this day.
In 1981, her world was shattered when Holden died suddenly after a fall during a drinking episode. Powers was in Hawaii filming Hart to Hart when she learned the heartbreaking news.
She later described that period as “a very, very tragic time,” made even more painful by the fact that she couldn’t be with him in his final moments.
Despite her grief, she turned her pain into purpose, channeling her love for Holden into preserving the natural world they both admired so deeply.
Powers also faced her own health struggles, including a battle with lung cancer. A former smoker, she credited routine doctor checkups with catching the disease early and ultimately saving her life.
Writing her memoir, One From the Hart, became an emotional but healing experience, giving her the chance to revisit the defining moments of love, loss, and perseverance in her life.
Now in her 80s, Stefanie Powers remains admired for her grace, resilience, and unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation. Fans still praise her beauty, spirit, and the remarkable legacy she continues to build.
Through her life story and tireless work, Powers shows that even the deepest tragedies can lead to renewed strength and purpose, inspiring countless people along the way.