Legendary actress Joan Woodward, one of the last representatives of Hollywood’s golden era of the 1950s, celebrated her 95th birthday this year. The star retired from acting long ago and prefers a secluded life away from cameras and red carpets.

Woodward last appeared on screen in the film Philadelphia (1993), and her final work on television was the miniseries Empire Falls (2005), where her husband, the famous Paul Newman, was her co-star. After her husband died in 2008, Joan completely retired from public activity, and her last official appearance took place in 2013.

Paul and Joan were married for 50 years – their union was considered one of the strongest in Hollywood. Before his marriage to Woodward, Newman already had three children from his first marriage. Together with Joan, they raised three daughters:

Eleanor “Nell” Newman, born 1959,

Melissa “Lissie” Newman, born in 1961,

And the youngest – Claire “Klia” Newman, born in 1965.

All three daughters still have a close bond with their mother and try to spend as much time with her as possible.

What do the Newman daughters do?

Nell Newman (65) acted in films as a child under the stage name Nell Potts, appearing with her mother in the film Rachel, Rachel (1968), directed by Paul Newman. She later left acting and devoted herself to ecology, becoming the founder of Newman’s Own Organics. She now lives in California with her husband, photographer Gary Irving.

Melissa “Lissie” Newman (63) also had acting experience, having appeared in the film Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990) and several television series. She currently lives a quieter life in Westport, Connecticut, with her husband, teacher Rafael Elkind, and their children. The family lives in a 19th-century house that previously belonged to her parents.

Claire “Klia” Newman (59 years old) is actively involved in charity work and continues her father’s legacy by heading the SeriousFun Children’s Network. This international project helps children with serious illnesses and was founded by Paul Newman in 1988. Klia lives in Connecticut with her husband Kurt Soderlund.

Home and Life in Connecticut.

After retiring from acting, Joanne Woodward settled into the family home in Westport, which the couple purchased in the 1960s. There they raised their daughters, preferring the quiet life on the East Coast to the noisy Hollywood. Paul Newman spent his last years in this house.

At the end of 2024, their Manhattan penthouse, purchased back in the 1980s, was put up for sale for almost $10 million. However, Joan’s principal place of residence remains a cozy mansion in Connecticut, where her daughters and family are close to her.

In 2007, when the actress was 77 years old, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, Joan has gradually abandoned public events, focusing on peace and family. Her loved ones provide her with care and support.

In 2022, actor and director Ethan Hawke released the documentary series The Last Movie Stars, dedicated to Paul and Joan.