At 76, Sally Field Faces Criticism for Aging Naturally but Finds True Joy as a Grandmother in Her Ocean-View Home

Actress Sally Field is best known for playing matriarchal roles and has portrayed light-hearted TV roles, including her stint on the American sitcom, “Gidget,” which aired for only one season between 1965 and 1966.

She once divulged that she had a blast filming the series, where she played a teenager, and although it was short-lived, it opened doors to other roles, which turned her into a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

The show did much more for her success as it kept her motivated. Field endured a difficult childhood because of her stepfather. She used the acting opportunity as an escape, leading her to audition for the acting workshop at Columbia Pictures.

The California native would later star in the sitcom, “The Flying Nun,” which ran from 1967 to 1970 for three seasons. She played Sister Bertrille in the series.

Afterward, Field, a newly awarded Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award winner, enrolled at Actors Studios from 1973 to 1975 to hone her acting talent and left as a dramatic actress. She later appeared in the 1976 film “Sybil,” which was when she garnered Hollywood’s attention by landing solid roles.

Field’s next role was as a union organizer in the drama film “Norma Rae” in 1979. For her performance, she bagged an Academy Award.

The Hall of Famer’s first breakout role was at the age of eighteen. She graduated from Birmingham High School in the Van Nuys neighborhood, where her love for acting developed.

The two-time Golden Globe Award winner participated in the drama club, which sparked her interest in pursuing an acting career after graduation. However, the renowned star initially had no plans after high school because she never sat down for an SAT test.

It has been several years since she found footing in showbiz and has gone through two divorces. Field was first married to her high school sweetheart, Steven Craig, whom she wed in 1968. The former couple welcomed two sons, Peter and Eli, and later parted ways in 1975 following seven years of marriage.

The Hollywood star then began a love affair with actor Burt Reynolds whom she described as the same as her stepfather. She then remarried film producer Alan Greisman in 1984 and had a son named Samuel with him. But they split in 1994.

Field’s love life and career were at a standstill at that period. A friend revealed, “She wasn’t getting any acting offers that were very substantial, and she pretty much gave up on the dating scene.”

But things eventually turned around for the better as she earned an Oscar nomination for her part as Mary Todd Lincoln in the movie “Lincoln,” later bagging several TV and film roles. Moreover, the pal divulged more about her stance on romance:

“Sally loves her life the way it is. She doesn’t see herself marrying again, and that’s fine.”

According to the insider, the mother of three spends much of her time with her brother Richard and Hollywood friends, including Tom Hanks, and her brood and grandkids.

After becoming famous as a young ingenue, Field chose a down-to-earth path of natural aging. In a March 2016 interview, she addressed her aging process and said she had embraced it:

“I’m an old woman. 70 is old, and that’s OK.”

Although there are some things she doesn’t like about growing old, which include her neck, she has made peace with that. When she was 63 in 2009, she revealed she was proud to have aged naturally without having plastic surgery:

“I see myself on TV, and I say, ‘Oh, I wish that weren’t happening to my neck. And your face is falling down, and your eyes are so puffy.”

But Field would remember that there were some women who she thought were gorgeous when they were young but had gone under the knife and she had a change of heart.

“Now I think, ‘Oh dear, don’t do that!’ And it seems so terribly disrespectful to who they are now,” said the two-time Academy Award winner.

Field admitted she did not want to age but made peace with the fact that there was not much she could do about it. Instead, she sought inspiration from fellow Hollywood leading ladies, including Helen Hayes and Jessica Tandy, who aged gracefully in their later years while still working.

The Tony Award nominee, whose acting career spans six decades, said the women looked stunning in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. She wants to execute specific roles when she becomes an old woman and does not want to look odd when that time comes.

Criticized for Her Looks

Before she turned 60 in 2005, Field was sadly diagnosed with osteoporosis, often referred to as a “silent disease” due to the lack of early symptoms until it causes damage. Of the diagnosis, the veteran star said:

“I always knew I fit the risk profile. I was thin, small-boned, Caucasian, and heading toward age 60. But I was amazed at how quickly a woman could go from being at risk to having full-fledged osteoporosis.”

The disease makes the bones weak to a point where they break easily, including bones in the hip, wrist, and backbone (spine).

Women are reportedly prone to get affected by the condition more than men, mainly due to the hormone changes when they reach menopause which affects bone density.

Oestrogen, the female hormone, is needed for healthy bones, but after menopause, the levels decrease, leading to a rapid decline in bone density.

When speaking about her condition, Field explained she had always ensured she consumed healthy food, participated in exercises, and took calcium. But despite her efforts, she failed to avoid the diagnosis.

Possible symptoms of osteoporosis that could be detected early include loss of height over time, back pain, and a stooped posture of a bone that could easily break.

Treatment for osteoporosis includes exercising, taking medication, mineral supplements, and vitamins. One could ensure they take supplements and exercise often to prevent getting the disease.

Despite her natural aging and health issues, Field was criticized for her appearance. In 2018, social media trolls took to Twitter to comment on her looks. “You’re ugly,” said one user.

Another wrote, “Your butt is going down also,” while a third person expressed: “Words cannot describe how sickening you are lady. You are just pure trash.”

Grandma of Five Lives in a Beach House

Field is now 76 years old and has adult sons and five grandchildren: Colin, Isabel, Ogden, Noah, and Sophie. A friend once divulged that she enjoys having so many grandkids with whom she plays and has fun.

Field became a first-time grandmother when her eldest son Peter and his first wife, Amy Scattergood, welcomed their daughter Isabel in 1998. The former couple had another daughter Sophie in 2021.

The author and novelist were married from 1995 to 2005 and split after ten years of marriage. Peter got married again to Jennifer DeFrancisco in 2008 and welcomed Field’s third grandchild and first grandson, Ogden. However, he and his second wife divorced in 2017 following nine years of marriage.

Field’s middle child Eli and his spouse, Sasha Craig, made her a grandmother for the fourth time when they had their son Noah in 2006, followed by her youngest grandkid, Colin, in 2014.

While Field spends much time with her beloved grandchildren, she still has her sons as her main priority. The “Forrest Gump” star once gushed about her kids:

“The three things I’m most proud of in my life are my sons. They are kind, loving, and productive people. Each with their own list of talents and accomplishments.”

In addition to being a novelist, Field’s firstborn son Peter is a screenwriter who previously worked on box office movie hits including, “The Batman,” “Top Gun: Maverick” the first two installments of “The Hunger Games,” and “The Mother.”

The father of three has authored books such as “Blood Father” and “The Martini.” He has also been recognized for his craft and was nominated twice at the Writers Guild of America and once for the Critics Choice Movie Awards.

Field spoke fondly of her son, saying he is a good father who dotes on his kids. According to her, Peter’s brood will grow up knowing how to show love and be loved.

Field’s second son Eli followed in her acting footsteps and is also a director. The Los Angeles native is known for movies such as “Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil,” “Zombieland,” and “Little Evil.” Eli also has credits of screenwriting under his belt.

Field once revealed that her middle child told her that although she has been a great parent, she failed to discipline him enough. She admitted in a 2008 interview that young Eli was uncontrollable but that witnessing him parent his child has made her realize what kind of parent she was.

The movie star’s youngest son Samuel is also a writer and a director and came out as gay several years ago. Field fully supported her son and stated in a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, “It’s important to have a parent speak about raising a magnificent, proud, intelligent, funny and lovable, sexy gay son.”

According to Field, many parents have become unsettled when they learn about their kids’ sexuality and fail to embrace them for who they are. She urges them to be more open in acceptance.

In her life journey, Field – in addition to her older brother, has a half-sister, penned about her life events in the memoir, “In Pieces,” released on September 18, 2018. In the book, she discusses her childhood home life, famous roles, relationships, and raising her children.

Her family was well aware of her writing an autobiography. Still, she only started sharing manuscripts with them earlier in the year the book got published, and she was uneasy about it.

Samuel shared he was aware that his famous mother had a complex relationship with her stepfather, stuntman Jock Mahoney. Field’s mom, Margaret, married Mahoney in 1952 after parting ways with her dad Richard in 1951. However, she and the actor divorced in 1968.

The “Steel Magnolias” star’s son revealed he also knew she grew up in a household where she could not speak freely. But Samuel saw his mom differently when he grew up. She had already established her successful career and seemed put together because he never saw her being unable to handle anything.

After reading his mother’s book, Samuel saw her in a different light because of what she endured and appreciates her more even now. He stated:

“To see her as someone who grew up confused and made mistakes and went through these traumas, it made me feel more connected to her.”

While doting on her loved ones and ensuring she spends time with them, Field also enjoys being at her home with ocean views. In June 2012, she downsized after selling her 6,000 square feet Malibu house in 2011. She forked out $2.3 million for her new home, which has three bedrooms and four bathrooms. The abode is situated in Los Angeles in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

The three-time Emmy Award winner reportedly purchased the property on April 24, 2012, and it is described as having “explosive ocean, canyon, mountain, and city views.”

The estate features a state-of-the-art kitchen, a pantry, and a breakfast bar. The main bedroom boasts walk-in closets, a private balcony, and a spa bathtub.

The house is spacious on the interior with an open living room with a rustic look, dining room, great room, a dramatic stone fireplace, skylights, and pitched beamed ceilings.

The 2,800-square-foot residence, which is white on the exterior, is surrounded by trees and features a lawn, a stone path, a Dutch door entry, and an enchanted front yard.