Sally Field Called an ‘Angel’ at 77 After Being Criticized for Her Natural Aging – She Finds Joy as a Grandmother of 5

She once divulged that she had a blast filming the series, where she played a teenager, and although it was short-lived, it opened doors to other roles, which turned her into a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. The show did much more for her success as it kept her motivated.

Field endured a difficult childhood because of her stepfather, and she used the acting opportunity as an escape. This led her to audition for the acting workshop at Columbia Pictures.

Afterward, Field, a Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award winner, enrolled at Actors Studios from 1973 to 1975 to hone her acting talent and left as a dramatic actress. She later appeared in the 1976 film “Sybil,” and that was when she garnered Hollywood’s attention by landing solid roles.

Field’s next role was as a union organizer in the drama film “Norma Rae” in 1979. For her performance, she bagged an Academy Award. The Hall of Famer’s first breakout role was at age eighteen. She graduated from Birmingham High School in the Van Nuys neighborhood, where her love for acting developed.

The two-time Golden Globe Award winner participated in the drama club, which sparked her interest in pursuing an acting career after graduation. However, the renowned star initially had no plans after high school because she never sat down for an SAT test.

It has been several years since Field found footing in showbiz and has gone through two divorces. She was first married to her high school sweetheart, Steven Craig, whom she wed in 1968. The former couple welcomed two sons, Peter and Eli Craig, and later parted ways in 1975 following seven years of marriage.

Field’s love life and career were at a standstill at that period. A friend revealed, “She wasn’t getting any acting offers that were very substantial, and she pretty much gave up on the dating scene.”

“Sally loves her life the way it is. She doesn’t see herself marrying again, and that’s fine.”

According to the insider, the mother of three spends much of her time with her brother Richard and Hollywood friends, including Tom Hanks, and her brood and grandkids.

After becoming famous as a young ingenue, Field chose a down-to-earth path of natural aging. In a March 2016 interview, she addressed her aging process and said she had embraced it:

“I’m an old woman. 70 is old, and that’s OK.”

Because some people consider embracing old age as brave, Field commented that it is “sad” that some think that way about growing old. Although she appreciated such a statement, Field emphasized that she has made peace with aging. “I’ve gathered strength behind my years, I owned them, I’ve earned them, I’ve deserved them, I have a right to have them,” said the film star.

“I see myself on TV, and I say, ‘Oh, I wish that weren’t happening to my neck. And your face is falling down, and your eyes are so puffy.”

But Field would remember that there were some women who she thought were gorgeous when they were young but had gone under the knife and she had a change of heart.

“Now I think, ‘Oh dear, don’t do that!’ And it seems so terribly disrespectful to who they are now,” said the two-time Academy Award winner. Field admitted she did not want to age but made peace with the fact that there was not much she could do about it.

The Tony Award nominee, whose acting career spans six decades, said the women looked stunning in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. She wants to execute specific roles when she becomes an old woman and does not want to look odd when that time comes.

Criticized for Her Looks

Before she turned 60 in 2005, Field was sadly diagnosed with osteoporosis, often referred to as a “silent disease” due to the lack of early symptoms until it causes damage. Of the diagnosis, the veteran star said:

“I always knew I fit the risk profile. I was thin, small-boned, Caucasian, and heading toward age 60. But I was amazed at how quickly a woman could go from being at risk to having full-fledged osteoporosis.”

The disease makes the bones weak to a point where they break easily, including bones in the hip, wrist, and backbone (spine). Women are reportedly prone to get affected by the condition more than men, mainly due to the hormone changes when they reach menopause which affects bone density.

She also participated in exercises including “hiking, biking, and doing extreme yoga on a regular basis,” said Field. But despite her efforts, she failed to avoid the diagnosis.

“My bones appeared to be getting steadily thinner without any signs or symptoms I could see or feel,” the show business star explained during an April 2006 interview.

To treat the condition, the mother of three partook in a drug experiment called Boniva — a drug that slows down bone loss so that the body’s natural bone production can be more effective.

Possible symptoms of osteoporosis that could be detected early include loss of height over time, back pain, and a stooped posture of a bone that could easily break.

Treatment for osteoporosis includes exercising, taking medication, mineral supplements, and vitamins. One could ensure they take supplements and exercise often to prevent getting the disease.

However, since then, some online users have spoken fondly of Field. Recently, the veteran star attended the Vanity Oscar Party event with her son Samuel and the mother-and-son duo posed together on the red carpet while holding hands.

Field donned a beige floor-length lace dress while her youngest child wore a black suit. “It’s Oscars biggest night @vanityfair,” Samuel, a film producer, captioned the Instagram post.

“THE SUIT. WHAT ANGELS,” one online user commented on the social media upload, alongside a string of heart-eye emojis. “You both look absolutely gorgeous,” said another person alongside a heart emoji.

Some social media users took to X (formerly known as Twitter), to gush over Field. One individual wrote, “SALLY FIELD LOOKIN LIKE A LITERAL ANGEL.”

Apart from Field’s recent public appearance, one user raved about her in June 2023, writing, “Of course, Sally Field as ‘The Flying Nun’! Perfect real-life angel!”

Grandma of Five Lives in a Beach House

Field is now 77 years old and apart from being a mom to adult sons, the family matriarch also has five grandchildren: Colin, Isabel, Ogden, Noah, and Sophie. A friend once divulged that she enjoys having so many grandkids with whom she plays and has fun.

Field became a first-time grandmother when her eldest son Peter and his first wife, Amy Scattergood, welcomed their daughter Isabel in 1998. The former couple had another daughter Sophie in 2021.

The author and novelist were married from 1995 to 2005 and split after ten years of marriage. Peter remarried to Jennifer DeFrancisco in 2008 and welcomed Field’s third grandchild and first grandson, Ogden. However, he and his second wife divorced in 2017 following nine years of marriage.

Field’s middle child Eli and his spouse, Sasha Craig, made her a grandmother for the fourth time when they had their son Noah in 2006, followed by her youngest grandkid, Colin, in 2014.

“The three things I’m most proud of in my life are my sons. They are kind, loving, and productive people. Each with their own list of talents and accomplishments.”

In addition to being a novelist, Field’s firstborn son Peter is a screenwriter who previously worked on box office movie hits including, “The Batman,” “Top Gun: Maverick” the first two installments of “The Hunger Games,” and “The Mother.”

The father of three has authored books such as “Blood Father” and “The Martini.” He has also been recognized for his craft and was nominated twice at the Writers Guild of America and once for the Critics Choice Movie Awards.

Field’s second son Eli followed in her acting footsteps and is also a director. The Los Angeles native is known for movies such as “Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil,” “Zombieland,” and “Little Evil.” Eli also has credits of screenwriting under his belt.

Field once revealed that her middle child told her that although she has been a great parent, she failed to discipline him enough. She admitted in a 2008 interview that young Eli was uncontrollable but that witnessing him parent his child has made her realize what kind of parent she was.

In her life journey, Field, who has a half-sister in addition to her older brother, penned about her life events in the memoir, “In Pieces,” released on September 18, 2018. In the book, she discusses her childhood home life, famous roles, relationships, and raising her children.