She Was a ’70s Hollywood Icon Who Tragically Lost Her Husband & Was Left a Single Mom to 5 Kids — What Happened to Her?
In the glamorous yet often tumultuous world of 1970s Hollywood, few stars shone as brightly as Susan Saint James. With her classic beauty, quick wit, and undeniable charm, Susan quickly became a household name, most notably for her role in the hit TV series McMillan & Wife and later, Kate & Allie. She embodied the spirit of the decade—independent, talented, and full of life.
But behind the scenes of her successful career, Susan faced personal heartbreak that would change the course of her life forever.
In 1981, Susan married Dick Ebersol, a prominent television executive who would later become the president of NBC Sports. The couple seemed to have it all—a strong partnership, a beautiful family, and flourishing careers. Over the years, they welcomed three sons together, and along with Susan’s two children from previous relationships, they built a lively, love-filled home.
However, tragedy struck in 2004. While on a private jet with two of their sons, Dick Ebersol and their 14-year-old son Charlie were involved in a horrific plane crash in Colorado. Dick survived with serious injuries, but their youngest son, Teddy Ebersol, was killed. The loss devastated the family and sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Susan, already a strong and resilient woman, faced the unimaginable: the loss of a child. Though not the husband she lost in the crash, the emotional toll of losing Teddy, and the near-loss of her husband, was profound. She later described it as the most painful moment of her life. “It just changes everything,” she said in a rare interview. “Grief like that never really ends—it just changes shape.”
In the years that followed, Susan stepped away from the spotlight almost entirely. She devoted herself to healing, her family, and charity work. She became an advocate for various causes, including children’s education and health, and worked closely with organizations supporting families in crisis.
Today, Susan Saint James lives a quiet life far removed from the glitz of Hollywood. Now in her late 70s, she reflects on her life with both gratitude and grace. Though she never returned to acting in a major way after the early 2000s, her legacy endures. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in television and a symbol of strength in the face of heartbreak.
Her story serves as a poignant reminder that even those who seem to have it all are not immune to life’s tragedies. But with resilience, love, and the support of family, healing is possible—even after the deepest of losses.
