Veteran actress Donna Mills, best known for her role as Abby Cunningham on the classic series Knots Landing, opened up about her personal choices during a recent interview on the “Still Here Hollywood Podcast with Steve Kmetko.” The 85‑year‑old explained why she has never taken the traditional step of marriage, despite a 25‑year partnership with actor Larry Gilman.
Independence as a guiding principle
“I was always so independent,” Mills said, emphasizing that her desire to remain self‑reliant has shaped many of her life decisions. “I’m still very independent. I just didn’t ever want to be subject to whatever you have to do when you get married. I also didn’t want to say I was going to love somebody forever.” She added with a laugh that she isn’t sure she ever would have made such a promise.
Family conversations about marriage
The topic resurfaced when Mills’ daughter, Chloe, recently married and welcomed a baby. “My daughter just got married and she just had a baby,” Mills noted, recalling a recent conversation with her daughter about the institution of marriage. When Kmetko teased her about not looking like a grandmother, Mills proudly displayed a necklace engraved with the word “Grandma,” a gift from Chloe.
A partnership without legal ties
Since meeting Gilman in 2001, the couple has built a life together in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. They share a home and a vineyard, which Gilman planted as a gift. “Larry planted a vineyard for me last year,” Mills said, describing him as “an incredibly kind, funny, wonderful man.” The pair also launched Mandeville Vineyards, a small‑scale wine brand that uses grapes from their Brentwood property.
Career highlights and past relationships
Mills rose to fame playing the glamorous and scheming Abby Cunningham from 1980 to 1989, a role that earned her a Daytime Emmy. In the fictional world of Abby, the character married four times, though one union was quickly annulled. In real life, Mills has spoken about an on‑and‑off relationship with advertising executive Richard Holland that spanned roughly two decades, beginning in 1979.
Modern ventures and fan interaction
In July, Mills surprised fans by launching an OnlyFans account, where she engages directly with subscribers. During a later podcast appearance, she recounted an unusual request from a fan who wanted to see her “stomping on grapes” barefoot in the vineyard. Mills responded with humor, saying she would try to fulfill the request soon.
Looking ahead
While Mills continues to enjoy a vibrant career and a fulfilling partnership, she remains steadfast in her belief that independence offers security and peace of mind. “I’ve always felt a woman being independent was important,” she said. “It made me feel safer, I guess, to know that I can take care of myself. I want someone to be in my life to love and be with, but if I have to I can take care of myself.”
Donna Mills’ candid reflections provide a reminder that personal choices, especially regarding marriage and family structures, can be guided by individual values rather than societal expectations.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
