This Girl Slept in the Underground Yet Became a Famous Actress Who, at 90, Is Happy with Her Younger Husband

This young girl came of age during World War II, growing up in an era marked by turmoil and hardship. She and her family spent nights sheltering in London’s Underground, moving from place to place as bombs fell over the city. That resilient girl would later become a celebrated actress, marrying a younger man and achieving international fame. Yet, the war years left their mark, disrupting her schooling and shaping her into one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons.

Born in London on May 23, 1933, she was the eldest child of Elsa, a former nightclub hostess, and Joseph, a South African talent agent. Elsa and Joseph would go on to have two more children, Jackie in 1937 and Bill in 1946. During the war, their family sought refuge from the air raids in Tube stations, huddling alongside their fellow Londoners. Recalling these times decades later, she noted, “We went to Marble Arch station the most. It was lively—people played accordions and sang.” Yet, the constant displacement made her schooling challenging. The stability her mother provided was a source of comfort amid the chaos.

This resilient evacuee was none other than English actress Joan Collins. Known to millions for her iconic role in the 1980s TV series Dynasty, Joan’s journey to stardom was shaped by her grandmother’s early encouragement. She learned to sing, tap dance, and even do splits under her grandmother’s guidance, despite her father’s warnings that acting had limited prospects for women. Defying the odds, Joan thrived in an industry that once doubted her longevity.

Joan’s professional success was undeniable, though her personal life was complex. She was once engaged to actor Warren Beatty, who, at age 23, encouraged her to make a painful decision to terminate her pregnancy, citing the potential impact on their careers. Despite this setback, Joan would go on to become a mother and marry five times. Her current husband, Percy Gibson, entered her life in 2000 when she was starring in a play he produced in New York City. Their 32-year age gap never troubled them, and they wed in February 2002. “Percy is the most honorable man I’ve ever met,” Joan shared, admitting he changed her mind about marriage when she’d thought she was done with it.

Now 90, Joan Collins remains a celebrated figure, while Percy, who is 58, stands by her side. Their relationship is a testament to resilience, love, and a life well-lived, from the war-torn days of her youth to the glamour of Hollywood and beyond.