Born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw on April 1, 1939, in Pound Ridge, New York, Ali’s early life was shaped by artistry and struggle. Her parents, Frances and Richard MacGraw, were talented but often financially strained artists. The family lived modestly, sharing a home with another couple and making do with little privacy. Her father, marked by a traumatic orphanage upbringing, carried anger that sometimes surfaced harshly at home, particularly toward Ali’s brother, Richard Jr.

Despite the difficulties, Ali’s artistic lineage and her mother’s perseverance instilled in her a creative spirit. After excelling at Rosemary Hall prep school and graduating from Wellesley College, Ali moved to New York City, embarking on a career in fashion.

Ali began as an assistant at Harper’s Bazaar before catching the eye of photographer Melvin Sokolsky, who recognized her striking beauty and work ethic. From there, she transitioned into modeling, gracing magazine covers and starring in commercials. It wasn’t long before Hollywood took notice.