80's Actress Bo Derek Looks Phenomenal At 66 Years Old

Dec 06, 2020

There is a universal nostalgia to look back at Hollywood icons from the past and see what they are doing now, especially if they’ve been out of the public eye for a little while. Actress Bo Derek may not be churning out blockbusters anymore, but she is certainly putting in the hard work for other causes close to her heart.

The Hollywood icon, who made a name on our screens in the 80s by starring in films such as “10,” “Tarzan, the Ape Man,” “Bolero,” and “Ghosts Can't Do It” is working alongside Horses In Our Hands to get the word out about how people can help to put an end to the export of horses for the purpose of slaughter and consumption.

Horses In Our Hands is an organization specifically dedicated to the welfare of equestrian creatures. They dedicate their time and resources to appealing to Congress to pass legislation they believe will make a difference. Derek is no stranger to horses, either, which is why protecting them is so important to her. Back in 1983, she fell in love with the majestic Andalusian breed and even became a breeder on her own ranch in California, reports Middleburg Life.

Now in semi-retirement, the 66-year-old is a passionate horse welfare advocate. Even though the last horse slaughterhouses were shut down in 2007 in the US, horses are simply being purchased by third-party buyers sent to neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico, as The Humane Society explains. Bo Derek has been campaigning against this process for many years.

According to the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act of 2019, this should actually be illegal. Considering the act has the support of Congress, and, as Derek stated to The Washington Post, "80% of Americans" support the act, it’s surprising this problem still persists in the modern world.

Nowadays, she only has four horses, but the time she has spent with horses has been invaluable to her. She claims that horses have helped her to improve her instincts and become a better person. In an interview with The Daily Mail, she said:

"Tending to the loves of my life, whether human or animal, brings me great joy and comfort... My horses and my dogs are a source of comfort for me. And although I can't ride horses right now, I love having them in my life."

For nearly two decades, Derek has dedicated a huge portion of her life to standing up for horses and trying to prevent their slaughter. One of the obstacles showing no signs of backing down is the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association lobby. Their fear is that the strict regulation of animals such as horses could become a slippery slope that animal activists would try to apply to all such hoofed mammals, including cattle.

Derek says that she believes her triumph is inevitable. She insists that writing to Congressmen and calling them to make her case might seem like fruitless labor, but that it truly does pay off. Derek has gotten responses from legislatures who finally agree to give her their vote, just so she’ll stop calling!

Derek stands by her methods and insists that anyone can participate in these efforts. Horses In Our Hands has been leading the way, trying to get the SAFE Act passed, trying to get as many people on board as possible — and according to the official website, they’ve been pretty successful this year.

Bo Derek was born Mary Cathleen Collins on November 20, 1956, in Long Beach, California. After meeting and falling in love with John Derek while she was studying at Narbonne High School in Los Angeles in 1973, the pair married in 1976 and had a happy marriage until John’s death in May 1998 from heart disease at age 71, reports Honey.

Derek met actor John Corbett on a blind date, and they have been together ever since. They currently reside on a ranch in Santa Barbara, California, with their two German Shepherds and four horses.

Although she does still make some occasional film, television, and documentary appearances, most of her time is spent as an activist and developing her new business. Most recently Bo Derek has expanded on her love for animals by branching out into her own pet care business—Bo Derek Pet Care. This involves a range of shampoos and products for animals. On the official website, Derek reveals how she came up with the idea, saying, “There was a time I found myself with a dozen, smelly dogs that wanted to live in the house with me.”

She continued: “All the dog shampoos I tried, felt more like harsh, household detergents. ‘If they are killing my own hands - what must they be doing to my dog’s skin and coat? I really think they're contributing to all the skin problems some of my dogs have.’”

We are sure Bo Derek will make a huge success of her pet care brand, as she did with her acting career, and we are sure all animal welfare supporters appreciate her tireless hard work. Do you treat your pets to luxuries? Let us know and share this story with the animal lovers in your life.