There was a time when Bo Derek defined beauty and glamour in Hollywood. With her unforgettable roles in 10 and Tarzan, the Ape Man, she became one of the most admired figures of the 1980s. But beyond the fame, flashing cameras, and red carpets, Bo Derek discovered a passion that would later define her life — the protection and care of horses.
Now in her 60s, she’s traded film sets for stables, and her commitment to animal welfare has become her greatest role yet.
Video: Frozen With Fear (2001) | Bo Derek
A Lifelong Love Affair with Horses
Bo Derek’s bond with horses began back in 1983 when she established her own ranch in California. There, surrounded by open fields and the quiet rhythm of nature, she started breeding Andalusian horses — a majestic Spanish breed she admired for its grace, intelligence, and loyal temperament.
What began as a personal passion quickly grew into a lifelong mission. She became more than just a horse owner; she became a voice for those who couldn’t speak for themselves.
Fighting for a Cause: The SAFE Act
Derek’s advocacy has centered around one crucial piece of legislation — the Safeguard American Food Exports (SAFE) Act. This law aims to end the export of American horses to countries like Canada and Mexico for slaughter. While horse slaughterhouses in the U.S. closed in 2007, the loophole allowing horses to be shipped abroad for the same fate has remained a dark reality.
Bo Derek has been a consistent and vocal opponent of this practice. Her determination is fueled not by fame but by empathy. She has spent years writing to and calling members of Congress, sometimes so persistently that lawmakers eventually voted in favor of the bill just to stop her calls. Her humor and tenacity have become legendary in advocacy circles.
Video: Bo Derek Opens Up About Her Romance With John Corbett, Says It Was Love at First Sight
“I just kept calling until they listened,” she once said with a laugh. But beneath that lightheartedness lies an unwavering belief that one person’s persistence can spark real change.
Creating Change Through Action
Through her collaboration with Horses In Our Hands, a nonprofit working toward equine welfare, Derek’s activism has reached new milestones. Thanks to their collective efforts, the SAFE Act has gained more momentum in recent years than ever before. Supporters across the country have joined her mission, proving that compassion — when combined with determination — can influence policy.
Bo Derek’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: small acts of kindness, repeated often, can create monumental change.
Entrepreneurship With Heart: Bo Derek Pet Care
Beyond her activism, Bo Derek has also turned her love for animals into a thriving business. She founded Bo Derek Pet Care, a company that produces gentle shampoos and grooming products designed to protect pets’ skin and coats. Her idea came after realizing that many pet care products on the market were too harsh and filled with chemicals.
Video: Bo Derek at the AFI Life Achievement Award Tribute to Julie Andrews
Determined to make a difference, she launched a line that reflects her values — natural, ethical, and compassionate. For Bo Derek, this business isn’t just about profit; it’s about creating something that genuinely improves the lives of animals and strengthens the bond between pets and their owners.
Life, Love, and Peace Away From Hollywood
While she once lived among the glitz and chaos of show business, Bo Derek’s life today is refreshingly quiet. She shares a serene ranch in Santa Barbara with her longtime partner, actor John Corbett. Their love story began on a blind date, blossoming into a partnership rooted in trust, laughter, and shared purpose.
Together, they live with four horses and two German Shepherds — a home filled with the kind of peace that fame could never provide. After the passing of her first husband, John Derek, in 1998, this new chapter gave her both healing and happiness.
A Different Kind of Fame
Bo Derek no longer walks red carpets or headlines blockbuster movies, yet her influence feels deeper now than ever before. She has redefined what it means to be a celebrity — not by clinging to the past, but by using her platform for something meaningful.
Her advocacy, persistence, and compassion have made her a role model in a world where attention often outweighs authenticity. For Bo Derek, true legacy isn’t measured in awards or headlines — it’s in the lives you touch and the causes you uplift.
The Power of Purpose
Bo Derek’s story proves that reinvention is possible at any stage of life. Once an international symbol of glamour, she’s now a voice of compassion and change. Her transformation from Hollywood star to humanitarian is a reminder that fulfillment comes from giving, not receiving.
She shows us that passion doesn’t fade with age — it evolves. And when directed toward something bigger than yourself, it can change the world.
Bo Derek’s journey from movie sets to pastures tells a powerful story about purpose, courage, and compassion. She didn’t abandon fame; she transcended it. Her work with horses, her ethical pet care brand, and her dedication to animal welfare have made her not just an actress remembered for her beauty — but a woman celebrated for her heart.
In choosing a life of advocacy over applause, Bo Derek proved that true beauty isn’t about how the world sees you — it’s about what you give back to it.
