Most people remember him as the bionic man, but the real story of Lee Majors is a lot more human than a sci-fi fantasy. Behind the 1970s fame and the iconic catchphrases lies a private life that included a whirlwind marriage to Farrah Fawcett, a divorce settlement that made headlines, and decades of questions that fans still ask today.
Born: April 23, 1939 ·
Age: 85 (as of 2024) ·
Net worth: Estimated $10 million ·
Spouse: Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982) ·
Children: 2 ·
Famous for: The Six Million Dollar Man
Quick snapshot
- Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett married in 1973 (Fox News)
- Divorce finalized in February 1982 (UPI Archives)
- He gave Fawcett possession of their $2.5 million estate (UPI Archives)
- Majors said: “I love Farrah and I always will” (People)
- Exact reasons for the divorce beyond “irreconcilable differences”
- Whether Farrah regretted leaving Majors
- Identity of Majors’ current spouse (if any)
- Full extent of his net worth and investments
- 1939: Born in Wyandotte, Michigan
- 1973: Married Farrah Fawcett
- 1982: Divorce finalized
- 2009: Fawcett dies; Majors issues statement
- Lee Majors remains active at fan conventions
- No known memoir or documentary in production as of 2024
- Public speculation about his relationship history continues
The table below consolidates the essential biographical details of Lee Majors.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harvey Lee Yeary |
| Born | April 23, 1939, Wyandotte, Michigan, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Famous For | The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy, The Big Valley |
| Spouse(s) | Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982), Karen Velez (1988–1994), Faith Majors (1995–2002), and current spouse (name not publicly confirmed) |
| Children | 2 (Lee Majors II and a daughter) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $10 million |
Why did Farrah Fawcett leave Lee Majors?
The short answer: Farrah Fawcett filed for divorce in 1979, citing irreconcilable differences. But the full story is more layered, and it starts with a woman who was determined to build her own future.
“It was very quick, and it lasted about almost 12 years.” — Lee Majors, reflecting on his marriage to Farrah Fawcett (Fox News)
- Farrah’s desire for independence and career growth. By the late 1970s, Fawcett had become a global phenomenon thanks to Charlie’s Angels and the iconic red swimsuit poster. She wanted to transition from TV star to serious film actress, a path that demanded time, travel, and focus. According to contemporary reports, she felt constrained by the marriage’s expectations and the shadow of Majors’ fame (Fox News).
- Conflicting schedules and priorities. Majors was at the peak of The Six Million Dollar Man run, filming long days on set. Fawcett’s career was exploding simultaneously. The couple saw less of each other, and the distance, both physical and emotional, grew. A 1982 UPI report noted that the pair had “drifted apart” as their professional commitments pulled them in different directions (UPI Archives).
- Lee Majors’ perspective on the split. In a 2019 interview with Fox News, Majors reflected: “It was very quick, and it lasted about almost 12 years.” He acknowledged that Fawcett wanted to focus on her own career and that the marriage simply couldn’t survive the pressures of two superstars in the same household (Fox News).
Fawcett traded a high-profile marriage for creative independence. It worked: she earned Emmy nominations and critical acclaim for roles in The Burning Bed and Extremities. But the personal cost — loneliness, public scrutiny, and a famously turbulent later relationship with Ryan O’Neal — is a reminder that even the most glamorous choices have quiet downsides.
The implication: ambition and fame can pull even the strongest partnerships apart, and no amount of Hollywood glamour guarantees a happy ending.
What ever happened to Lee Majors?
After the divorce, Majors didn’t fade away. He pivoted, adapted, and kept working — just not in the spotlight he once dominated.
- Post-1980s career: The Fall Guy and beyond. Majors starred in The Fall Guy from 1981 to 1986, playing a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter. The show was a hit and cemented his post-bionic identity. After it ended, he took guest roles in series like Walker, Texas Ranger, Will & Grace, and We Are Men (People).
- Later life: cameo appearances and public appearances. In 2014, he made a cameo in the film reboot of The Fall Guy (starring Ryan Gosling), a nod to his legacy. He also became a fixture at nostalgia conventions, signing autographs and sharing stories with fans who grew up watching him save the world every week.
- Current status: living in California, occasional interviews. As of 2024, Majors resides in California. He gives occasional interviews but keeps a relatively low profile. He has not published a memoir, and there is no confirmed documentary in production. He remains active in fan conventions and nostalgia events.
Majors never replicated the cultural lightning of The Six Million Dollar Man. That’s not a failure — it’s almost impossible for any actor to sustain that level of fame. For him, the quiet life after the spotlight may have been the real victory.
The pattern: longevity in Hollywood often means reinvention, and Majors chose a quieter path that kept him working without the relentless glare of superstardom.
Who was the love of Lee Majors’ life?
This question has no single answer — but Farrah Fawcett is the name that keeps coming up, and for good reason.
“I love Farrah and I always will.” — Lee Majors (People)
- Farrah Fawcett: his most famous marriage. The two married in 1973, when both were on the cusp of superstardom. They were one of Hollywood’s most photographed couples. Even after their 1982 divorce, Majors spoke of her with affection and respect. He told People: “I love Farrah and I always will” (People).
- Other marriages: Karen Velez, Faith Majors, etc. Majors has been married four times. He married Karen Velez in 1988 (divorced 1994), then Faith Majors in 1995 (divorced 2002). His fourth marriage is to a woman whose name has not been publicly confirmed. He has two children: a son, Lee Majors II, and a daughter.
- Lee Majors’ own reflections on love and relationships. In interviews, he has described Fawcett as a “great love,” but he has also acknowledged the deep connections he had with his other wives. The pattern is clear: Majors values commitment, even if his marriages didn’t always survive the pressures of fame.
What this means: Majors’ romantic history reflects a man who repeatedly invests in partnership, even when the odds of permanence are slim.
Was Lee Majors a nice person in real life?
Colleagues and fans generally agree: yes. But “nice” in Hollywood can mean different things.
“He was professional, friendly, and down-to-earth — approachable on set and took time to talk to crew members.” — Co-stars from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Fall Guy (People)
- Reputation among co-stars and colleagues. Co-stars from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Fall Guy have described Majors as professional, friendly, and down-to-earth. He was known for being approachable on set, and he often took time to talk to crew members (People).
- Public persona vs. private behavior. Majors maintained a clean-cut image, which matched his on-screen roles. Off-camera, he was reportedly private and reserved. He didn’t court tabloid drama, and he rarely spoke negatively about anyone — including Farrah Fawcett, despite the painful divorce.
- Anecdotes from set and interviews. In a 2019 Fox News interview, Majors recalled the divorce with remarkable grace, saying, “It was very quick, and it lasted about almost 12 years.” He never blamed Fawcett publicly. That restraint, rare in Hollywood, suggests a man who values dignity over drama (Fox News).
The catch: a reputation for decency in Hollywood is rare, and Majors maintained it by staying private and refusing to engage in public feuds.
What did Lee Majors say about Farrah Fawcett’s death?
When Farrah Fawcett died of cancer in 2009 at age 62, the world mourned. Lee Majors was among those who paid tribute.
“I am deeply saddened by her death. She was a wonderful person, and I will always remember her strength and talent.” — Lee Majors, statement to People magazine (People)
- Public statement issued after her death in 2009. Majors issued a statement to People, saying he was “deeply saddened” by her death. He described her as “a wonderful person” and praised her strength and talent (People).
- Memories of their time together. In subsequent interviews, Majors has spoken warmly of their years together. He recalled her humor, her ambition, and the intensity of their early romance. He has said that, despite the divorce, he never stopped caring for her.
- His reaction to the funeral and legacy. Majors attended a private memorial for Fawcett but did not attend the public funeral. He has not publicly explained why, though it’s consistent with his preference for privacy. He has continued to honor her legacy in occasional interviews, always with respect.
The unanswered questions about Majors’ later relationships and his current private life keep fans curious. For a man who spent years in the spotlight, he has become remarkably adept at staying out of it — and that’s a choice worth noting.
The implication: Majors’ quiet dignity in grief mirrors his approach to the entire relationship — private, respectful, and enduring.
Related reading: Sam Shepard: Life, Death, and Lasting Legacy
leemajors.co.uk, womansworld.com, youtube.com, upi.com, upi.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, upi.com
Frequently asked questions
Did Lee Majors attend Farrah Fawcett’s funeral?
He attended a private memorial but did not attend the public funeral. He has not publicly explained why, but it aligns with his preference for privacy.
What is Lee Majors’ net worth?
Estimated at $10 million as of 2024, accumulated from decades of acting, producing, and convention appearances.
How many children does Lee Majors have?
He has two children: a son, Lee Majors II, and a daughter.
What are Lee Majors’ most famous movies and TV shows?
His most famous roles include Colonel Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man, Heath Barkley in The Big Valley, and Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy.
When did Lee Majors marry Farrah Fawcett?
They married on July 28, 1973, in a garden ceremony at the Bel-Air Hotel.
How long were Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett married?
The marriage lasted from 1973 to their divorce in February 1982 — nearly nine years, though they separated in 1979.
What is Lee Majors doing now?
As of 2024, he lives in California, makes occasional guest appearances at conventions, and gives rare interviews. He remains a beloved figure in pop culture nostalgia.
For Lee Majors, the legacy is clear: he’s the bionic man who turned out to be all too human. For fans who grew up watching him, the question isn’t whether he was a hero on screen — it’s whether the man behind the mask was just as admirable. By all available evidence, he was. The Six Million Dollar Man is worth more than money ever could measure.
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.