Trigger warning: The following article contains mentions of sexual harassment, pregnancy loss, and suicide.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Jane Seymour is an acting legend.
Both on and off screen, Seymour’s been on a mission to fight ageism.
She’s a little old woman, she’s not important.'"
she explained toPeoplein 2024, less than a month after she turned 73.
“It’s not old,” she said of her age.
“That is wisdom on two legs.”
Age-based discrimination is only one of the many challenges Seymour has faced during her life.
Seymour also suffered sexual harassment, dealt with heartbreaking divorces, and survived serious health and pregnancy complications.
Through it all, however, she’s demonstrated a remarkable resilience.
Here are some of the difficulties she’s endured, and how she overcame them.
While seeking a film role, Seymour was sexually harassed by a producer.
When she rebuffed his advances, the producer threatened her future career prospects if she reported the incident.
However, after some time away from her profession, Seymour stepped onto the stage again.
As she started to ramp up her career, Seymour had to face her former harasser a second time.
The film became one of Seymour’s career-defining performances.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available.
Visit theRape, Abuse & Incest National connection websiteor contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
The actor was ill with bronchitis, and an antibiotic shot was incorrectly given to her.
Moments later, Seymour experienced anaphylactic shock and her heart stopped.
Fortunately, the nurse acted quickly and gave Seymour cortisone and adrenaline to save her life.
The actor went on to win an Emmy for her performance in the TV movie.
In the years since, Seymour has shared her memories of the traumatic experience.
She also remembered feeling that it was imperative that she stay alive so she could care for her children.
This incident was transformative for Seymour.
“It stopped me from worrying about dying or death or anything like that.
I realized there’s no pain or panic attached,” she informedPioneer Press.
“Life is incredibly worth living and I don’t want to waste a moment of it.”
Sadly, one of these pregnancy losses occurred while she was hosting the Rose Parade.
Seymour didn’t alert anyone during the live production and kept working even though she was having a miscarriage.
Then, during her pregnancy with her twins, Seymour dealt with serious medical difficulties.
“I nearly died having the twins,” the actor informed OK!
in 2008 (viaToday).
In contrast, earlier in her career, Seymour had lost acting roles due to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Her third and fourth marriages had distressing endings
Jane Seymour has been married and divorced four times.
Besides proving a satisfying hobby, Seymour’s art grew into a professional endeavor and added revenue stream.
Over the years, she’s sold work privately and in gallery shows, specializing in watercolors.
“I thought we were going to be married forever,” Seymour recalled to theDaily Mail.
Their union ended abruptly when she found out Keach was cheating on her.
“My self-confidence took a real knock,” she added.
“But I’m not.”
On the BBC show “Who Do You Think You Are?”
While she survived, her husband and children died.
(viaIrish Mirror).
“The post-traumatic stress is huge.”
Still, Seymour has viewed her mother’s attitude as a powerful tool to meet life’s difficulties.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat988lifeline.org
