80-Year-Old Candice Bergen Says She’s Happy Being “Fat” Because She “Lives to Eat”

Candice Bergen has been a familiar face on television and in Hollywood for decades. Throughout her impressive career, the actress has appeared in numerous movies and television shows and has built a reputation for doing things her own way.

When critics have questioned her choices, Bergen has never been afraid to stand her ground. She has always been open about embracing life on her own terms.

Bergen began her career as a model, working for major fashion magazines including Vogue. She eventually transitioned into acting and became a household name, particularly after landing the iconic role of Murphy Brown.

Her performance in Murphy Brown earned her seven Emmy nominations and five wins.

Candice Bergen Wasn’t Originally the First Choice for Murphy Brown

Interestingly, the role of Murphy Brown was reportedly intended for a younger actress, Heather Locklear. However, Bergen’s audition caught the attention of writer and producer Diane English, who ultimately felt that Bergen was the right person for the role.

The decision proved to be a major turning point in Bergen’s career.

The show became a huge success, and audiences embraced Bergen’s confident portrayal of the outspoken television journalist.

Looking back on the character, Bergen once said:

“That character gave me permission to be my brattiest, bawdiest self.”

After winning her fifth Emmy for the role, Bergen reportedly asked not to be considered for the award again.

Candice Bergen Opened Up About Her Relationship With Food

In her memoir A Fine Romance, Bergen spoke candidly about aging, food and her changing priorities.

She revealed that she had gained around 30 pounds over a period of approximately 15 years, but said she wasn’t particularly concerned about it.

In the book, she famously wrote:

“Let me just come right out and say it: I am fat. I live to eat.”

Bergen described herself as someone who genuinely enjoys food rather than someone who wants to spend her life dieting.

She also wrote humorously about enjoying rich meals at dinner parties with her husband, even when other guests seemed judgmental about what she was eating.

As she put it:

“I am a champion eater. No carb is safe — no fat, either.”

She Chose Enjoyment Over Trying to Look Younger

Bergen also reflected on the pressure many women face as they get older.

She observed that women can become so focused on maintaining their youthful appearance that they sometimes forget to appreciate who they are in the present.

Rather than constantly worrying about her figure or trying to look younger, Bergen said she preferred to enjoy food and life.

She was equally blunt about dieting, writing:

“Dieting is out of my purview.”

She described craving cookies and other foods she loved and made it clear that strict dieting simply wasn’t something she wanted to make part of her lifestyle.

Bergen Has Also Spoken About Extreme Dieting

In her memoir, Bergen discussed women she knew who used extreme methods to maintain their weight.

She said she would never want to follow such practices herself, emphasizing that she preferred enjoying food rather than becoming obsessed with controlling her weight.

Her comments reflected the larger theme of her memoir: accepting herself and refusing to let other people’s expectations dictate how she should live.

From Hollywood Star to Mother and Grandmother

Bergen’s life has also changed significantly beyond her career.

She was married to French director Louis Malle for 15 years. The couple had one daughter, Chloe Malle. Malle died from cancer in 1995.

Bergen later married Marshall Rose in the 2000s, and the couple has remained together.

She is also a grandmother. Her grandson Arthur Louis Albert was born in 2020, followed by her granddaughter Alice Malle Albert in April 2022.

Bergen has spoken warmly about her daughter becoming a mother herself, describing Chloe as:

“The love of my life.”

Today, Bergen continues to enjoy her family life and her role as a grandmother.

After decades in Hollywood, countless television appearances and five Emmy wins, Candice Bergen has made it clear that she wants to enjoy life on her own terms.

Her story is a reminder that getting older doesn’t mean giving up the things that bring you happiness.