Many of us look back at the 1980s with a sense of nostalgia. It was a time when life felt simpler, prices were manageable, and television shows captured the imagination of millions. Among those classics, Dynasty stood out — and at its center was Linda Evans, a woman whose elegance and grace made her unforgettable. With timeless beauty and natural poise, Evans became not just a star of the decade but a cultural icon whose impact still resonates today.
Born Linda Evenstad in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1942, she was the middle child in a Norwegian-American family. The name “Evenstad” came from a small farm in Norway where her great-grandmother once lived before emigrating to the United States. When Linda was just six months old, her family moved to North Hollywood, unknowingly setting the stage for her future. Though shy by nature, her striking looks and presence made her stand out. A classmate in high school encouraged her to try acting, and that decision led to a career that would eventually earn her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ironically, her star was placed near the Paramount Theater, where she had once worked as a teenage cashier.
Her acting career began with small television parts in the early 1960s, but her breakthrough came as Audra Barkley in The Big Valley. Playing alongside Barbara Stanwyck, she displayed a strength that became her hallmark. Yet it was the role of Krystle Carrington on Dynasty that cemented her place in television history. Paired against Joan Collins’s fiery Alexis, Evans’s portrayal of the soft-spoken but strong Krystle brought warmth to the show’s legendary rivalries. Their on-screen battles became part of television lore, but off-camera, Evans was beloved for her kindness and humility. Her work earned her a Golden Globe and multiple People’s Choice Awards, making her one of the most bankable actresses of the era.
Behind the glamour, Evans faced personal challenges. Her marriage to John Derek ended in heartbreak when he left her for Bo Derek, then a teenager, but she handled the scandal with quiet dignity. She later married developer Stan Herman, though that union also ended. By the time Dynasty concluded in 1989, Evans chose peace over the relentless Hollywood spotlight. She retreated to the Pacific Northwest, where she focused on health, spirituality, and family. She shared her story in her memoir Recipes for Life: My Memories, blending personal anecdotes with favorite dishes.
Surprisingly, Evans returned to the public eye in 2009 when she joined Hell’s Kitchen UK with Gordon Ramsay. Against expectations, she won the entire competition, proving her resilience and charm never faded. But her life was not free from struggles. She endured a slipped disc that caused severe pain, depression, and even a brush with despair. Cortisone treatments damaged her hair, forcing her to wear a wig for a time. In 2014, she faced public scrutiny after being cited for reckless driving in Washington state, later explaining that lingering pain and prescribed medication played a role. Over time, through surgeries and laser treatments, she found relief and reclaimed her health.
Family loss added to her hardships. Both of her parents and two of her sisters battled cancer, and she has spoken openly about the heartbreak of losing loved ones. In 2022, she mourned the passing of her sister Charlie, sharing a moving tribute on social media. Through it all, Evans emphasized the importance of love, kindness, and resilience in the face of pain.
Today, at 82, Linda Evans lives quietly near Olympia, Washington, on a 70-acre estate with gardens, wildlife, and a cozy cottage-style home. She has kept many costumes from her Dynasty days but admits she rarely looks at them, preferring instead to focus on the present. For Evans, stepping away from Hollywood was a conscious choice to embark on an inner journey, one that prioritized self-discovery over fame.
Linda Evans remains a symbol of strength, elegance, and authenticity. She didn’t just survive the turbulent world of Hollywood — she transcended it. Decades after Dynasty, her legacy endures, a reminder that some stars are not just made but destined.