This 80s Icon Endured the Tragic Loss of Her Husband & Remained a Single Mother — How Does the Actress Look At 70?

This star rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a household name thanks to her role in the beloved action series “The Dukes of Hazzard.” Despite portraying one of television’s most iconic characters, she nearly missed out on her role in the popular series.

In a candid interview, the public figure shared, “It was a complete fluke that I was Daisy Duke! I’m half Mexican and half German, and my agency said, ‘You’re way too exotic and just not television material’ — and they fired me!”

However, she was determined to prove her critics wrong. The actress revealed that her first husband, David Shaw, had connections with Bob Clark, who was collaborating with Gy Waldron, the creator of the show.

Bob suggested they meet her, as the character was partly inspired by her. Initially, she was reluctant, telling a friend that they had been searching for over a year for someone who fit the mold of a blonde like Dolly Parton.

However, her friend convinced her to go, and just two weeks later, she was cast. She even designed the iconic Daisy Duke outfit herself, proudly noting that she’s now seen as the All-American girl.

As the star captivated audiences on-screen, her spouse worked behind the scenes as a production manager and producer. Shaw gained recognition for his work on films such as “Murder, She Wrote” (1984) and “The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax” (1999).

The television star and her first husband were married from 1976 to 1981 and did not have any children together. She later wed music attorney Peter Lopez, a co-founder of the law firm Kleinberg Lopez Lange Cuddy & Klein. Lopez had represented well-known artists, including Michael Jackson and Michael Bublé.

The pair married in 1990 and welcomed two daughters together. They had their first child Sophia in January 1996 and their second daughter, Laura, was born in October 1998.

The family woman reflected on her married life with Lopez in an interview. She often thought to herself, feeling immense happiness and gratitude. The celebrity felt blessed with her family and the man she deeply loved. In her eyes, there were no problems; everything seemed perfect.

“‘I’m able to stay home with our kids. He makes a good living, he was a lawyer. This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.’ And then all of a sudden it was just gone,” she said.

The Ohio native’s life was shattered in April 2010 when her husband of 20 years took his own life at their home. She shared her memories of that tragic day during an interview. While preparing breakfast, her husband came up behind her at the stove and asked, “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?”

Initially, she was confused, thinking she had everything in order, but then she realized and turned to embrace him, giving him a big kiss and saying, “I love you.” This was a daily ritual for them whenever he was home—a way to affirm their love.

She then asked him if he could take the kids to school because she was running late for her meetings. He agreed, and as he walked away, she watched him, admiring him as she always did, noting how he paused, shrugged his shoulders, and turned slightly before leaving.

The mother of two recalled how, in that moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something, but the morning was so busy that he chose not to and continued walking down the hallway. She believed he had something on his mind, but there just wasn’t time for them to talk.

He took their daughters to school, and as they got out of the car, he told them, “Bye, I love you.” They responded, “Bye, dad,” and that was the last time they saw him. The family woman confirmed that her husband took his own life with a gun. He was on their property, which spanned a few acres behind gates, and had walked to the top of the property before the incident occurred.

She heard the gunshot and ran up the hill to find out what had happened. However, a sense of responsibility for her two young daughters stopped her from going further, reminding her to avoid any potential danger. It was one of the household staff members who eventually discovered him. They immediately called 911, and the police quickly arrived, surrounding their home.

“We were so devastated. When you are part of a happy family unit, you lose part of that… I mean, we were completely insulated and happy with our family,” admitted the veteran star. She and her oldest daughter immersed themselves in numerous books after her husband’s death, searching for answers as to why it happened.

With no issues like drug use, heavy drinking, or financial troubles, she struggled to make sense of it. In an interview, the celebrity revealed she would take a course on suicide to gain a deeper understanding.

The doting parent felt she had no choice but to be strong for her daughters, recognizing them as the legacy of her and Lopez’s love. She knew she couldn’t focus on her own grief, as her priority was keeping the family together.

The actress shared that speaking openly about her tragedy helped her stay strong for her kids. She wasn’t ashamed and focused on taking care of her daughters and herself to stay resilient. The celebrity also emphasized her dedication to her children and that they attended grief therapy together, which she believes is crucial for healing.

In her journey toward healing, she turned to her faith and community for strength. As a devout Catholic, the Hollywood star prayed frequently, attended church often, and relied heavily on the guidance of her trusted priest.

She explained that these practices, along with therapy, were what kept her going. She also participated in grief group therapy, surrounded by others who had experienced significant losses, which provided her with additional support.

After stepping away from acting to grieve and heal following her husband’s death, Catherine Bach made her return to television in 2012. Her comeback role was as Anita Lawson on the CBS soap opera “The Young and the Restless,” marking her first acting job since the tragedy.

Even years after his passing, Bach continues to honor her late husband’s memory, often reflecting on the wonderful partner and father he was. In June 2023, she shared a touching tribute on Instagram alongside a family photo, writing, “Happy Heavenly Father’s Day honey. What a great dad you were to our girls not to mention a fantastic husband!”

Now at 70, the television icon has embraced growth. She presents a different look compared to her early years on screen, but she has always maintained that she never obsessed over her weight. Instead, she credited her active lifestyle for keeping her fit, including her famously insured legs valued at $1 million.

She stayed in shape through daily activities like dancing for hours, hiking, and swimming, considering herself an athlete rather than someone who followed diets. Her daughters have also embraced a similar approach to fitness, practicing yoga together as a way to bond and prioritize family time.

Even after more than three decades since her role in “The Dukes of Hazzard,” Bach openly accepts her body’s changes, acknowledging that she has gained some weight but remains unconcerned about it.

Catherine Bach’s journey reflects resilience, strength, and a deep commitment to family. Despite enduring personal tragedy and significant changes in her life, she has remained grounded, relying on her faith, family, and active lifestyle.

Her return to television and her openness about aging gracefully show that she is not just the beloved star of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” but also an inspiring figure who embraces life’s challenges with grace.

Today, she continues to live life on her own terms, cherishing her role as a mother and a television icon while staying true to the values that have guided her throughout her career and personal life.