By Megan Riedlinger
7:25pm PDT, Jul 24, 2023
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In honor of Lynda Carter's 72nd birthday on July 24, 2023, take a look back at the "Wonder Woman" star's life and career in photos, starting with this smiley snap…
Lynda Carter was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 24, 1951. After winning a local beauty contest in 1972, Lynda went on to compete in and win Miss World USA. She then advanced to Miss World 1972, where she represented the U.S.A. — and reached the top 15. The experience inspired her to take acting classes. It didn't take long for her to land a career-making role…
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Here's a very unique honor: In 1979, Lynda Carter received the Special Gold Poster Award after this photograph of her in a tied-up crop top became the top-selling poster of 1978.
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During their marriage, Ron Samuels — whom Lynda Carter later told Closer Weekly was "a lot older" than her — served as the actress's manager. They're seen here in 1980 around the midpoint of their union.
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One of Lynda Carter's first post-"Wonder Woman" appearances was on "The Muppet Show." She guest starred on the beloved television series in 1980.
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It's over! Lynda Carter split from hubby Ron Samuels in 1982. In 2018, she told The New York Times their marriage was "an unfortunate chapter" in her life. The couple are seen here the year before they called it quits.
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Lynda Carter tied the knot for the second time in 1984. She wed attorney Robert A. Altman, who worked in Washington, D.C. After exchanging vows, Lynda opted to leave Hollywood behind and settle in Potomac, Maryland, with her new husband.
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How gorgeous is she?! Lynda Carter is seen here in a portrait taken in a pool in 1985.
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Once they settled down in Potomac, Maryland, Lynda Carter and Robert A. Altman welcomed two children: son James in 1988 and daughter Jessica in 1990. The couple is seen here in 1993.
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After moving to Maryland, Lynda Carter put her career on the back burner, though she occasionally popped up in TV movies for the rest of the '80s and '90s. Among the small screen flicks? "She Woke Up Pregnant" in 1996, "A Prayer in the Dark" in 1997 and "Family Blessings" (pictured with co-star Steven Eckholdt) in 1988.
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Lynda Carter snagged a part in the 2005 film "The Dukes of Hazzard," which marked her first major film role in years. She played Pauline, the love interest of Uncle Jesse (played by Willie Nelson).
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Pretty in pink! In May 2005, Lynda Carter attended the 65th Annual American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala in New York City in this flattering pale pink gown.
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For the premiere of her Disney movie "Sky High" in 2005 — she played Principal Powers, the headmistress of a school for superheroes — Lynda Carter brought along some very important people: her husband and kids! Daughter Jessica and son Jamie tagged along with Robert A. Altman for the Los Angeles premiere.
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In 2005, Lynda Carter transitioned to the stage, scoring the part of Mama Morton in a production of "Chicago" in London's West End. When it came time for the show to release its "Chicago: 10th Anniversary Edition" CD box set, it was Lynda's version of "When You're Good to Mama" that was included. Lynda is seen here at a 10th anniversary celebration for the famed musical in New York City in 2006.
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Struttin' her stuff! Lynda Carter was on hand for the Red Dress Collection fashion show during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. She wore a gorgeous one-shouldered Carolina Herrera gown and walked the runway to Chicago's "When You're Good to Mama."
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From 2016 until 2018, Lynda Carter had a recurring role on "Supergirl." She played President Olivia Marsdin on the DC Comics-inspired series on The CW.
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In 2016, Lynda Carter appeared alongside fellow Wonder Woman Gal Gadot at the United Nations when the fictional character was designated as the U.N.'s "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls."
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When she attended the Paley Center Honors Celebrating Women in Television event in 2017, Lynda Carter brought along her look-alike daughter, Jessica Altman. Jessica is an attorney like her father was but, like her mother, she's also a talented singer who in 2020 released her first album.
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Wonder Women, unite! Lynda Carter posed with the star of the "Wonder Women" movie franchise — Gal Gadot — at the first film's Los Angeles premiere in May 2017.
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Lynda Carter posed with "Wonder Woman" film franchise director Patty Jenkins at the 2017 Glamour Women of the Year Awards in New York City.
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In 2018, Lynda Carter received a major Hollywood honor — a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! She brought along her whole family for the occasion: husband Robert A. Altman and their kids, Jessica and James.
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Lynda Carter was on hand for the TIME 100 Most Influential People event in April 2018. That year, the star of the big screen's "Wonder Woman," Gal Gadot, made the list. Lynda penned the magazine's tribute to Gal.
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Lynda Carter wowed during a surprise appearance at the 2018 Met Gala. The beauty arrived wearing a teal Zac Posen gown accessorized with a crown and stunning drop earrings. She landed herself on many best dressed lists (ours included!).
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Lynda Carter joined husband Robert A. Altman, an attorney-turned-chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media, a video game holding company, in December 2019 at the Bethesda E3 Showcase in Los Angeles. That same year, Lynda voiced Phoenix in the video game "Rage 2" — the eighth video game character she's brought to life in her long career. Robert's company was sold to Microsoft for $7.5 billion in 2020. Just a few months later in February 2021, Lynda was widowed when Robert died from myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer, at 73.
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Lynda Carter turned to her first love, music, in the wake of her husband's 2021 death. In October that year, she released the song "Human and Divine," which was inspired by their long relationship. "It was a real romance," she told People magazine. "I was really trying to define love and loss and and make sure it was about the human-ness of love." A few months later in December 2021, Lynda attended the 15th Annual CNN Heroes: All-Star Tribute in New York City (pictured) where the fictional superhero introduced a real-life hero, Michele Neff Hernandez, whose non-profit, Soaring Spirits, connects widows and widowers in an effort to help them heal among a community of other who understand the pain of losing a partner.
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Lynda Carter had a much better 2022: She was honored with two awards. The first came in September when she was given the Sor Juana Legacy Award — which is bestowed upon women of Mexican descent who have made outstanding contributions to the arts during their careers — in Chicago. She followed that up in December with an induction into the California Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who embody the innovative spirit of the state.
Her 2023 included new challenges as the Broadway musical she co-produced, Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Bad Cinderella" — she's seen here looking ageless at its March 2023 opening — earned dismal reviews and closed after a three-month run after failing to garner any Tony Award nods. Radar Online reported that Lynda invested nearly $1 million in the project.
