The world first fell in love with her in 1972, when a stunning young woman from Arizona named Lynda Carter was crowned Miss USA. With her effortless grace, luminous smile, and undeniable charisma, she looked like she was born for fame. That same year, she represented America at the Miss World pageant, stepping onto the global stage — unaware that she was just steps away from becoming a cultural icon.
But Carter quickly learned that beauty pageants weren’t as glamorous as they appeared. Reflecting years later, she admitted, “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 her pageant days, Carter pursued acting in Los Angeles. The early years were tough — work was scarce, money was running low, and Hollywood wasn’t welcoming to newcomers. She was on the verge of giving up when fate intervened. Her manager called with an unexpected opportunity: actress Joanna Cassidy had turned down a television role, and producers wanted to see Carter for it. The character’s name was Diana Prince — better known as Wonder Woman.
That audition changed everything.
When Wonder Woman premiered in 1975, it wasn’t just another superhero show — it was a revolution. For the first time, women saw a hero who was powerful, intelligent, and compassionate. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect; as women across the country fought for equality, Carter’s Wonder Woman became a symbol of empowerment.
In one memorable episode, she 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.
Carter approached the role with intention and heart. “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 moment in your life when you pretended to be her, it felt like you could fly.”
The show made her a household name. By 1978, she had been voted “The Most Beautiful Woman in the World,” and her poster — wearing a tied-up crop top — became the best-seller of the year. But Carter never felt comfortable with the fame that came from it. “It was awkward,” she said. “That picture was meant to be fun. My husband said, ‘Tie your shirt up, it’ll look cute,’ and suddenly, it was everywhere. It felt like I’d lost control of my own image.”
Even at the height of her fame, she refused to be reduced to a pin-up. She saw herself as a performer and storyteller, determined to show that beauty and strength could coexist.
After Wonder Woman, Carter continued acting in television and film, starring in Partners in Crime with Loni Anderson and appearing in The Dukes of Hazzard. She also impressed critics with her stage work, including a standout performance in Chicago. But no matter where her career took her, she would always be remembered as the woman who brought Wonder Woman to life.
In 2016, on the 75th anniversary of Wonder Woman’s creation, the United Nations honored the character as an ambassador for the empowerment of women and girls. Carter attended the ceremony and reflected on her journey. “The greatest honor of playing Wonder Woman,” she said, “was serving as a role model for fans around the world — especially girls. I’ve seen how a powerful, compassionate hero can inspire women to believe in themselves and men to support equality.”
Her personal life has been equally full of highs and lows. Carter married twice. Her first husband, talent agent Ron Samuels, represented Hollywood’s biggest names, and for a while, they were the industry’s golden couple. But their relationship crumbled under pressure. “It was painful for both of us,” she later said. “I hope he’s forgiven me. I’ve forgiven him. I truly wish him well.” Their marriage ended in 1982.
Two years later, she met attorney Robert A. Altman at a Maybelline event — Carter was the brand’s spokesperson at the time. Altman, who wasn’t keen on Hollywood, attended only because he’d heard she would be there. “I knew she was beautiful,” he later said, “but I wasn’t looking for a movie star romance. I almost stayed home to watch football.”
That chance meeting led to a lifelong love. They married in 1984 and had two children. Carter took a step back from the spotlight to focus on her family, trading premieres for parenting and quiet evenings at home.
Robert was her rock, especially when she struggled with alcoholism. Carter has spoken openly about her recovery, sharing that she’s been sober for over two decades. “I didn’t even start drinking until my mid-twenties,” she said. “I would stop for a few years, start again, and it just felt awful. That was long ago now. I’m happy — really happy. Robert helped me through it. He was my knight in shining armor.”
In 2021, tragedy struck when Robert Altman passed away at 73 after a battle with leukemia. His death left a deep void. On what would have been his 75th birthday, Carter posted a heartfelt 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 through loss, Carter’s grace remains unshaken. She continues to act, sing, and champion women’s rights, carrying the same spirit that defined her decades ago.
Now at 71, Lynda Carter is as radiant as ever — not just in beauty, but in presence. Her strength, empathy, and authenticity have only deepened with time.
She’s no longer simply the face of a superhero; she is one.
Her legacy isn’t about a crown, a costume, or a poster. It’s about what she’s always stood for — courage, compassion, and the belief that true power comes from kindness and conviction.
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.”