- Sally Field faced significant financial challenges as a single mother at 28, barely making ends meet.
- She wore a handmade dress that her mother sewed for her first Golden Globe appearance.
- Nowadays, the “Steel Magnolias” star, with an estimated net worth of $55 million, keeps a low profile and limits her spending on luxury clothing, yet she continues to turn heads with her radiant beauty.
Sally Field was born in Pasadena, California, on November 6, 1946. Her mother, Margaret Field (née Morlan), was an actress, and her father, Richard Dryden Field, worked as a salesman.
Field’s parents divorced in 1950, and her mom later married stuntman Jock Mahoney, with whom she had a daughter named Princess O’Mahoney. She also has a brother named Richard Field.
Sally Field pictured on January 1, 1980 | Source: Getty Images
Field faced significant hurdles on her path to success early on. Despite being an Oscar winner, she encountered resistance from her own management, who reportedly told her she was “not pretty enough” to become a film star.
Despite feeling reluctant, Field was compelled to make a grand entrance by flying through the auditorium and onto the stage, reminiscent of her character in “The Flying Nun.”
During the early stages of her career, while recognized for roles like “Gidget” and “The Flying Nun,” Field experienced intense rejection, including from her own agent. When she expressed her intention to transition away from television and focus on films, Field’s agent dismissed her aspirations, claiming that she lacked the necessary beauty and talent.
Despite being told she wasn’t good enough or pretty enough, Field succeeded in acting, delivering remarkable performances in a range of iconic roles. Some of her most notable film roles include “Norma Rae” (1979), for which she won her first Oscar, “Places in the Heart” (1984), which earned her a second Oscar, “Steel Magnolias” (1989), “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993), and “Forrest Gump” (1994).
Sally Field at the 37th Annual Golden Globe Awards | Source: Getty Images
A Brief Look at Sally Field’s Challenging Past & Her Journey to Success
In 1974, the then-28-year-old Field, despite being a famous actress, struggled to make ends meet as a single mother of two sons. “That was basically my life, trying to take care of these two boys and be the breadwinner,” the “Sybil” actress revealed.
Despite the challenges, she was fortunate to have the support of her wonderful mother,...
