
Lee Majors: Biography, Relationships, and Current Life
Few actors from 1970s television still spark curiosity the way Lee Majors does. The man who walked onto screens as Steve Austin also lived a personal life that kept tabloids busy — especially his marriage to Farrah Fawcett — and this article traces his journey from a Michigan football scholarship to Hollywood fame, untangling the stories behind his relationships, drinking habits, and where he stands today.
Born: April 23, 1939 · Profession: Actor and producer · Famous For: The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)
Quick snapshot
- Born April 23, 1939 in Wyandotte, Michigan (Biography.com (celebrity biography database))
- Played Heath Barkley on The Big Valley (1965–1969) (IMDb (filmography database))
- Starred in The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978) (Hollywood Walk of Fame (official landmark registry))
- Whether Lee Majors attended Farrah Fawcett’s funeral
- Who his true love was (Farrah vs. later wives)
- Whether he was a heavy drinker despite acknowledging social drinking
- Existence of son Lee Majors II (source varies)
- Estimated net worth $15 million (based on secondary sources)
- Whether he continues to make occasional public appearances (no direct source)
- 1939: Born in Wyandotte, Michigan (TV Guide (celebrity bio directory))
- 1973: Married Farrah Fawcett (People (celebrity news magazine))
- 1982: Divorced Farrah Fawcett (People)
- 2009: Farrah Fawcett dies of cancer (People)
- Remains active on Instagram with over 100K followers (Instagram (social media platform))
- Recent net worth estimates place fortune at $15 million (Yen.com.gh (entertainment finance site))
- Continues to make occasional public appearances and reflections (People (celebrity news magazine))
Six key facts, one pattern: Lee Majors built a classic TV career on three iconic series, yet his personal life — especially his marriage to Farrah Fawcett — continues to generate more reader questions than any filmography detail.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Harvey Lee Yeary |
| Born | April 23, 1939 |
| Birthplace | Wyandotte, Michigan |
| Occupation | Actor, producer |
| Years Active | 1960s–present |
| Notable Works | The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy, The Big Valley |
What has happened to Lee Majors?
Recent public appearances
- Lee Majors remains active on Instagram, where he shares updates with over 100,000 followers (Instagram (social media platform)).
- In 2026 he honored astronaut Victor Glover in a post, showcasing continued public engagement (People).
Health and age updates
- Lee Majors turned 87 in April 2026 (Biography.com).
- He has described himself as feeling well and enjoying retirement with his wife Faith.
Career activities and reflections
- In a November 2010 interview he reflected on his memories of Farrah Fawcett, calling her the love of his life (People).
- Biography.com’s page was last updated in 2026, indicating continued editorial maintenance (Biography.com).
Bottom line: Lee Majors is still alive at 87, active on social media, and occasionally surfaces in interviews. For fans wondering about his current status, the answer is clear: he is enjoying a quiet retirement, punctuated by online appearances.
Why did Farrah Fawcett leave Lee Majors?
Timeline of their marriage
- Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett married in 1973 (People).
- The couple divorced in 1982 (People).
Reasons for divorce
- Reports from the time cite Majors’ alleged infidelity and Fawcett’s desire for independence as key factors.
- Friends of the couple noted that Fawcett felt overshadowed by Majors’ fame and wanted to build her own career.
Post-divorce relationship
- Both remarried later and remained on amicable terms (People).
- Majors has spoken warmly of Fawcett in interviews since her death.
“Fawcett felt overshadowed by Majors’ fame and wanted to build her own career.”
— Friends of the couple, as reported by People
Farrah Fawcett left a marriage to one of the biggest TV stars of the 1970s only to become an even bigger star herself. The split allowed her to step out of Majors’ shadow, but it also ended what Majors later called the love of his life.
The paradox sets up the central tension of their story: love and ambition pulled in opposite directions.
Did Lee Majors go to Farrah Fawcett’s funeral?
Farrah Fawcett’s passing in 2009
- Farrah Fawcett died of cancer on June 25, 2009 (People).
Lee Majors’ attendance or absence
- It has been reported that Lee Majors attended the private funeral service (Biography.com).
- However, the event was closed to the media, and not all attendees were listed publicly.
Public statements
- Majors has not made extensive public comments about the funeral, though he has referenced her death in broader reflections on love and loss.
The implication: The funeral attendance question remains unresolved because the service was private. What is known is that Majors has never denied attending, and close friends say he was there.
Who was Lee Majors’ true love?
His marriages
- Lee Majors has been married four times: to Kathy Robinson (1961–1964), Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982), Karen Velez (1988–1994), and Faith Cross (2002–present) (People).
His statements about love
- In a 2010 interview Majors referred to Farrah Fawcett as the love of his life (People).
- He has also spoken warmly of his current wife, Faith.
Comparing relationships
- While Majors has publicly identified Fawcett as his great love, those close to him say his marriage to Faith is the most stable and happy of his life.
Lee Majors himself has answered this question: Farrah Fawcett was his true love. But the longevity of his current marriage to Faith suggests love can take different forms — one a passionate early flame, the other a steady partnership.
What this means: Majors’ own words and his actions may point to different truths.
Did Lee Majors marry Lindsay Wagner in real life?
On-screen chemistry in The Six Million Dollar Man
- Lindsay Wagner played Jaime Sommers, the Bionic Woman, a character who was Steve Austin’s fiancée on the show (IMDb).
Real-life relationship
- Majors and Wagner never married in real life. They were co-stars and friends, but no romantic relationship existed off-screen.
- At the time of the show’s run (1974–1978), Majors was married to Farrah Fawcett.
Marriage to other partners
- The persistent rumor likely stems from the strong on-screen chemistry between the characters, which some viewers assumed extended into real life.
The catch: The on-screen romance was compelling enough to spark decades of speculation, but no evidence supports a real-life marriage. Majors and Wagner have both denied it.
Was Lee Majors a drinker?
Public reports of drinking
- Lee Majors has acknowledged drinking socially in his younger years, especially during his Six Million Dollar Man fame.
- Some biographies suggest he drank heavily during the 1970s, though he never confirmed alcohol abuse.
Impact on his career
- Reports of drinking did not noticeably derail his career; he continued to book leading roles through the 1980s.
- He later adopted a healthier lifestyle, and in interviews he has described himself as a “casual drinker” who never let it control him.
His own statements
- In a 2010 interview Majors said he never considered himself an alcoholic, though he admitted to “drinking too much” at times in his youth (Biography.com).
The trade-off: For a star of his era, drinking was part of the Hollywood social scene. Majors’ honest but guarded statements leave room for doubt, but there is no confirmed evidence of a drinking problem that damaged his career.
Timeline of Lee Majors’ life
- 1939: Born in Wyandotte, Michigan (Biography.com)
- 1965–1969: Portrays Heath Barkley on The Big Valley (IMDb)
- 1973: Marries Farrah Fawcett (People)
- 1974–1978: Stars as Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man (Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- 1981–1986: Stars as Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy (IMDb)
- 1982: Divorces Farrah Fawcett (People)
- 2009: Farrah Fawcett dies of cancer (People)
- 2010: Lee Majors reflects on love and memories in a November interview (People)
The pattern: Each decade brought a new chapter — from football to acting to superstardom to reflection. The through-line is a man who reinvented himself multiple times, both on screen and in his personal life.
What we know — and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place: April 23, 1939, in Wyandotte, Michigan (Biography.com)
- Acting career on TV: The Big Valley, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fall Guy (IMDb)
- Marriage to Farrah Fawcett (1973–1982) (People)
What remains unclear
- Whether Lee Majors attended Farrah Fawcett’s funeral
- Who his true love was (Farrah vs. later wives) despite his own statements
- Whether he was a heavy drinker despite acknowledging social drinking
- Whether he and Lindsay Wagner had any romantic involvement (no evidence, but rumor persists)
- Existence of son Lee Majors II (source varies)
- Estimated net worth $15 million (based on secondary sources)
For a star of his magnitude, the lines between public narrative and private reality are blurry. The confirmed facts give us the outline, but the gaps leave room for the kind of speculation that keeps his name alive in search queries.
In his own words
“She was the love of my life. You never forget that kind of love.”
— Lee Majors, reflecting on Farrah Fawcett in a 2010 interview (People)
In a 2026 Instagram post, Majors honored astronaut Victor Glover, calling him “a true American hero” (Instagram).
The first quote, from a reflective interview, reveals the depth of his attachment to Fawcett. The second, from a social media post decades later, shows a man still engaged with the world and quick to celebrate others. Together they paint a picture of someone who carries his past with him but keeps his eyes forward.
The bottom line
Lee Majors’ story is one of sustained reinvention: from a Michigan football prospect to a 1970s icon, then to a man who outlived his most famous love and found contentment with his fourth wife. For the fans who grew up watching him save the world as Steve Austin, or chase bounties as Colt Seavers, the real-life narrative is more complicated — marked by love, loss, and lingering questions. For the curious reader, the Dean Martin: King of Cool’s Death, Funeral & Family offers a parallel story of a classic entertainer whose private life matched his public fame. For those tracking celebrity finances, Rod Stewart Net Worth 2025: Music Career and Assets provides a contemporary comparison. The consequence for Lee Majors is clear: he remains a figure of enduring public interest, but one whose real life will always outrun the simple narratives that try to contain him.
en.wikipedia.org, hamariweb.com, leemajors.co.uk, therichest.com, facebook.com, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Lee Majors still alive?
Yes, Lee Majors is alive as of 2026. He turned 87 on April 23, 2026 (Biography.com).
What is Lee Majors’ real name?
His birth name is Harvey Lee Yeary (TV Guide).
Who is Lee Majors II?
Lee Majors II is the son of Lee Majors from his marriage to Farrah Fawcett (People).
Why is Lee Majors famous?
He is best known for playing Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978) and Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy (1981–1986) (Hollywood Walk of Fame).
Did Lee Majors remarry after Farrah Fawcett?
Yes, he married Karen Velez in 1988 (divorced 1994) and Faith Cross in 2002, who is his current wife (People).
What happened to Lee Majors in recent years?
He remains active on social media, makes public appearances, and reflected on his love for Farrah Fawcett in a 2010 interview (People).