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Donna Mills Then & Now: Photos of the Soap Opera Icon Through the Years

By:
January 8, 2024 7:38PM EST
Donna Mills
Lorimar/Kobal/Shutterstock

Soap opera icon Donna Mills, 83, began her TV career on the daytime soaps The Secret Storm and Love is a Many Splendored Thing, back in the 1960s. But she’s also known for appearing on the silver screen in major studio films like The Incident and Play Misty for Me. The mom of one (she adopted her only daughter, Chloe Mills, as an infant in 1994) has received a handful of Soap Opera Digest Awards for her defining role as Abby Cunningham in Knots Landing, and even took home a coveted Daytime Emmy Award for a guest appearance on General Hospital in 2015.

Behind the scenes, she was involved with Chaka Khan’s ex-husband Richard Holland for two decades, and is currently dating longtime love Larry Gilman. See photos of the radiant soap opera star from her younger years to today in our official gallery of the actress.

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Donna in ‘Knots Landing’ in the 1980s

Donna in ‘Knots Landing’ in the 1980s
Lorimar/Kobal/Shutterstock

Donna as the manipulative Abby Cunningham in ‘Knots Landing,’ which ran from 1979-1993. Here, she looks like an 80s goddess with her tousled blonde hairstyle and bold floral print dress in a screen capture from an episode in the 1980s. 

January 8, 2024, 6:02PM
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Donna in ‘Knots Landing’ With Ted Shackelford in the 80s

Donna in ‘Knots Landing’ With Ted Shackelford in the 80s
Lorimar/Kobal/Shutterstock

Donna cozies up to ‘Knots Landing’ co-star Ted Shackelford in the 1980s. She looked incredibly glamorous in a sparkling red dress with fringe detail, while Ted matched her formal vibe in a tuxedo. 

The show hit its hayday in popularity and ratings during the glitzy decade. 

January 8, 2024, 6:11PM
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Donna Mills & Richard Holland in 1985

Donna Mills & Richard Holland in 1985
Bei/Shutterstock

Donna is seen here with ex boyfriend Richard Holland, whom she shared an on/off partnership with from 1979-1999. Richard was previously married to Chaka Khan.

The former couple is seen here at an event in 1985, with Donna looking stunning in a purple, sequin covered dress and matching eyeshadow. 

January 8, 2024, 6:25PM
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Donna Mills and Don Shula in 1994

Donna Mills and Don Shula in 1994
MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Donna Mills appears with Don Shula at the Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Awards in 1994. She wore an ethereal sheer white dress covered in a sparkling gold design. 

January 8, 2024, 6:42PM
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Donna Mills in 1998

Donna Mills in 1998
Shutterstock

Donna appears as radiant as ever at an event in November 1998. She wore a mint green jacket and styled her hair in a choppy blonde cut. She finished the look with layered necklaces. 

January 8, 2024, 6:29PM
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Donna Mills in 2003

Donna Mills in 2003
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Donna channels a Greek goddess in a stunning strapless blue silk dress at CBS Network 75th Anniversary Celebration in New York on November 3, 2003. She finished the look with gorgeous jewelry and silver stilettos. 

January 8, 2024, 6:45PM
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Donna Mills in 2005

Donna Mills in 2005
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Donna attneds the Society of Singers Awards in Beverly hills on October 10, 2005. She opted for a bold orange dress with a duster jacket and a matching clutch. 

January 8, 2024, 6:49PM
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Donna Mills in 2008

Donna Mills in 2008
Elizabeth Goodenough/Shutterstock

Donna steps onto the red carpet at the Carousel of Hope Ball in Los Angeles on October 25, 2008. She wore a stunning blue silk number with a cris-cross design at the neckline. She accessorized with silver heels and a matching clutch purse. 

January 8, 2024, 6:53PM
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Donna Mills in 2014

Donna Mills in 2014
Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Donna looked every bit the screen goddess in a red floor length gown with a train at the Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on June 22, 2014. She styled her famous blonde locks in an old Hollywood glam shoulder-length look for the big evening. 

January 8, 2024, 6:56PM
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Donna Mills in 2018

Donna Mills in 2018
Broadimage/Shutterstock

Donna proved her ageless beauty while rocking a smart white button down shirt and business jacket ensemblet at the Make Equality Reality Gala in Los Angeles on December 3, 2018. She styled her hair in loose waves and finished the look with fierce boots. 

January 8, 2024, 7:00PM
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Donna Mills and Larry Gilman in 2021

Donna Mills and Larry Gilman in 2021
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Donna and longtime boyfriend Larry Gilman snuggle up at the premiere of ‘The Unforgivable’ in December of 2021. They’ve been dating since 2001. 

January 8, 2024, 6:19PM
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Donna Mills and Chloe Mills in 2023

Donna Mills and Chloe Mills in 2023
Stewart Cook/Shutterstock for Los Angeles Ballet

Donna Mills and her daughter Chloe attend the Los Angeles Ballet’s 2023 gala on May 18 2023. Donna wore a sparkling pink suit with gold heels, while Chloe stunned in a red slip dress with spaghetti straps. 

January 8, 2024, 7:05PM