Age has a funny way of stripping the varnish off Hollywood legends. For decades, Candice Bergen was the "ice queen"—the blonde, untouchable daughter of ventriloquist Edgar Bergen, a woman so beautiful it was almost intimidating. But if you look at her lately, especially heading into 2026, there’s a grit and a warmth there that’s far more interesting than perfection.
Candice Bergen is better than ever because she stopped trying to be what everyone expected. Honestly, she’s thriving in a way that feels incredibly modern. She isn't hiding. She’s leaning into the messy reality of being a woman in her late 70s who has survived strokes, seen the highs of Murphy Brown, and faced the deep lows of grief.
The Health Battle Nobody Saw Coming
A few years ago, the news cycle caught wind of something Bergen had kept quiet for a long while. She had suffered multiple strokes. For someone whose career was built on rapid-fire, intellectual dialogue—think of that sharp-tongued delivery that made her an icon—this was devastating.
Strokes aren't just physical. They’re an assault on your identity. Bergen has been refreshingly candid recently about the "brain fog" and the sheer exhaustion that followed. But instead of retreating into some guarded Malibu estate, she used it to redefine her boundaries. She talks about "relearning to trust her mind." That’s a heavy thing to admit when you’re a five-time Emmy winner.
Her recovery wasn't a Hollywood montage. It was slow. It involved finding humor in her own forgetfulness—a very Murphy thing to do, if you think about it.
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Why the "Murphy Brown" Spirit Still Matters
We can’t talk about her being "better than ever" without mentioning the legacy she’s still building. When she brought Murphy Brown back in 2018, people were skeptical. Could a 90s powerhouse survive in the era of social media and 24-hour shouting matches?
While the reboot didn't last forever, it proved Bergen’s point: the world still needs women who aren't afraid to be "difficult."
In 2025 and 2026, we’ve seen her pivot. She’s appearing at galas like the Neighborhood Playhouse 2025 event, looking vibrant, but also using her platform for serious global issues. Her recent speech regarding the women of Iran showed a side of her that's less "sitcom star" and more "global advocate." She isn't just taking roles for the paycheck; she’s choosing moments that actually mean something.
Pattern Drenching and a Maximalist Life
If you want to know how someone is really doing, look at their living room. Seriously.
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Interior design circles have been buzzing about Bergen’s home lately. She’s pioneered what people are calling "pattern drenching." It’s basically the opposite of that sterile, "sad beige" influencer aesthetic. Her home is full of florals, geometric prints, and fringe. It’s loud. It’s cozy. It’s un-apologetically herself.
There’s a metaphor in there somewhere. Most stars her age are trying to look younger, sleeker, more "filtered." Candice is adding more patterns. She’s layering her life with more color, more history, and more honesty.
The "Book Club" Effect
The Book Club movies with Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Mary Steenburgen did something important. They proved that audiences actually want to see older women having fun. Bergen’s character, Sharon, was the dry, sarcastic heart of those films.
She’s often said that she’s the one who pushed for the sequel to be set in Italy. She wanted the adventure. She wanted the wine. She wanted the laughs with her real-life friends. That zest for life is why she feels so "current" despite being a veteran of the industry.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Her
People think she had it easy. The "Golden Girl" of the 60s. But Bergen has lived through the death of her first husband, director Louis Malle, and the pressure of being a single mother in the public eye long before it was "cool."
The version of Candice Bergen we see today is a survivor.
She’s better than ever because she has zero interest in the "ice queen" persona anymore. She’s funny. She’s self-deprecating. She paints. She advocates. She’s basically the cool, smart grandmother we all wish we had, but with better stories and a much cooler wardrobe.
How to Channel Your Own "Better Than Ever" Phase
Watching Bergen's trajectory offers some pretty solid life lessons for the rest of us. It’s not just about celebrity; it’s about a mindset.
- Own your vulnerabilities. Bergen didn't hide her health struggles forever; she shared them when she was ready, and it made her more relatable.
- Keep your circle tight. Her friendships with her Book Club co-stars aren't just for the cameras. Investing in long-term relationships keeps you grounded.
- Don't fear the "loud" choices. Whether it’s your career or your home decor, stop trying to blend in.
- Adapt, don't just endure. When her physical health changed, she changed her pace, but she didn't stop contributing.
If you’re looking to follow her lead, start by embracing the "maximalist" version of yourself. Stop apologizing for your age or your "brain fog" or your need for a colorful life. Candice Bergen is living proof that the best chapters usually come after you’ve stopped trying to please everyone else.
Take a cue from her: find your "pattern," drench yourself in it, and don't look back.